The 22nd World Youth Day 2007 <br/><br/>
World Youth Day 2007 will be held in individual dioceses around the world while World Youth Day 2008 will be hosted at Sydney, Australia.  Pope Benedict XVI has already decided the theme for WYD2008, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)<br/><br/>
In order to celebrate this year’s 22nd World Youth Day which will be held on Palm Sunday, the Pope asks us to meditate on Jesus’ words, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34)<br/><br/>
The Pope asks young people to love one another and even to forgive those who have wronged them.  He also asks the young to be engaged in parish activities, responsible in their own roles and devoted in service of others.<br/><br/>
To young people who are romantically involved, the Pope invites them to uphold holiness and chastity as standards and practice restraint to develop mutual respect and purity.  The Pope pointed out that Christian marriage is a vocation within the Church.  He also feels that the young people who pursue vocations in dioceses or in religious orders can be witnesses to their peers about the source of true happiness.<br/><br/>
The Pope also reminds young people that in addition to preparing for professional careers, they must also familiar themselves with church doctrines and social teachings.  The Pope says, “You must work hard to develop a culture of love.”<br/><br/>
The Pope also welcomes young people to use the examples of saints as role models.  He specifically mentioned the much beloved Mother Teresa.  Finally, the Pope asks the young people to pray often and to adore the Eucharist.  Because if we lack God’s loving grace, we can do nothing.