World Youth Day vigil to be held in Ateneo Aug. 20-21

A World Youth Day (WYD) vigil will be held at the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Quezon City from August 20 to 21, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said. The event will be highlighted by Pope Benedict XVI’s message to the youth that will be telecast live from Madrid. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales urged all the clergy and members of religious and lay communities to encourage the youth to join the WYD vigil. Dubbed “WYD 2011 Madrid to Manila," the youth vigil will feature prayer, catechesis and reflection, worship and inspirational songs, liturgical celebrations, and sharing of faith stories. “Be counted with the throng of young people who are willing to be rooted and built up in Jesus Christ. Be part of this celebration and allow the event to help you become more firm in the faith," CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth chairman and Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon said in an article posted on the CBCP news site. Along with the WYD website set up by the CBCP, the vigil aims to let Filipino youths take part in the WYD even if they could not go to Madrid. Some 2,000 young Filipinos are going to Madrid to participate in the WYD. The CBCP-ECY will head a delegation of 387 registered pilgrims representing Catholic schools nationwide and youth organizations in the parochial and diocesan levels. The organizers of the event include the Archdiocese of Manila campus ministry and the Ateneo de Manila University; Jesuit Communications Foundation of the Philippine province of Society of Jesus; Tanging Yaman Foundation, and the Diocese of Cubao. - VVP, GMA News