World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid Opens Registration

WASHINGTON—Registration to participate in World Youth Day (WYD) Madrid 2011 is now open. Though the registration is done online with the WYD organization in the Spanish capital, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has updated its existing World Youth Day page (www.wydusa.org) to allow access to the registration process through its Web site. The site includes links to important information regarding the event. Content will be progressively built up as additional information becomes available.

Though entry to WYD main events is free, participants have options regarding meals, accommodations and transportation to Madrid. They also pay according to a fee scale according to the country.

Sister Eileen McCann, CSJ, coordinator for Youth and Young Adult Ministry at the USCCB encouraged early registration.

“In addition to the Vigil and Mass with the pope during the weekend, there are numerous catechetical and other cultural activities throughout the week. Many groups also stay at parishes, school gymnasiums, or with local families. Early registration allows organizers to plan for accommodations, meals and participation in activities accordingly,” she said.

WYD 2011 theme, which will be held August 16-21 in Madrid, is “Planted and Built Up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith.” Organizers estimate that nearly 600,000 young people from countries other than Spain, about 25,000 of them from the United States, will participate in the events. Pope Benedict XVI officially opened the registration process on July 1, by becoming the first to register for the event.

WYD is a faith-filled encounter of young people from around the world with the pope to pray, learn, celebrate and strengthen one another in faith.

For information visit www.wydusa.org.
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Keywords: World Youth Day, Madrid 2011, Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI