PRESS RELEASE
19 August 2011
RTÉ1 television to broadcast the closing Mass for World Youth Day
• Live catechesis sessions are being broadcast online at www.dioceseofmeath.ie/youth
RTÉ1 television will broadcast coverage of the closing Mass for World Youth Day, live from Madrid, from 08:15am this Sunday 21 August 2011. Live commentary and translation will be provided by Father Thomas McCarthy, OP, and Yanira Romero. Yanira is one of the organisers of the Irish participation in the pilgrimage by the international Jesuit youth programme, Magis: www.magis2011.org .
RTÉ coverage will include a video package reflecting the experience of pilgrims since the arrival of the Pope in Madrid. Viewers will also see and hear from pilgrims, who have travelled with Catholic Youth Care (the youth agency of the archdiocese of Dublin), concerning their hopes and expectations, for World Youth Day 2012.
Notes to Editors
- Cardinal Brady’s message as he departed for World Youth Day is available at: http://www.catholicbishops.ie/2011/08/19/cardinal-brady-departs-world-youth-day-madrid/.
- World Youth Day takes place in Madrid, Spain, from 16 – 21 August 2011. The theme chosen by Pope Benedict XVI for World Youth Day 2011 is “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith” (cf. Col 2:7). In excess of 1,500 Irish pilgrims have travelled to Spain to take part in this year’s event which is being hosted in Madrid City. The week-long celebration includes catechesis sessions, music, liturgies, cultural events and an opportunity for pilgrims to meet with other pilgrims from all over the World.
- The highlights of World Youth Day are the prayer vigil and the closing Mass at which Pope Benedict will preside. Both liturgies will take place at Cuatro Vientos Airport, Madrid, on 20 and 21 August. At the closing Mass Pope Benedict will announce the venue to host the gathering of the faithful for the next international World Youth Day.
- A special feature is now available on the Bishops’ Conference website www.catholicbishops.ie for World Youth Day 2011. It includes:
- Pope Benedict XVI’s message for World Youth Day
- An overview of Irish diocesan pilgrimages to Madrid
- A video interview with Bishop Donal McKeown. In his video interview Bishop McKeown outlines what World Youth Day is, the relevance of the theme chosen for 2011 and the importance of World Youth Day to the Catholic Church.
- Links to live updates from four Irish pilgrims who will travel to World Youth Day
- Links to the official World Youth Day website and to the Vatican
- World Youth Day was initiated by Blessed Pope John Paul II in 1985. It is celebrated at diocesan level annually, and at a week-long international level every two to three years in different countries. The international level event attracts hundreds of thousands of young people from almost every country on the planet.
- Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta is the Patron Saint of World Youth Day and since his beatification, Pope John Paul II, who started the event, has become its co-patron.
Further information:
Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678
