World Youth Day 2005 News -- June Update
What follows is a copyrighted release of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
INFORMATION FOR U.S. GROUPS & PILGRIMS
“WE COME TO WORSHIP HIM” (MT 2:2) -
World Youth Day 2005
As of Wednesday, June 22, 2005 there are 23,186 pilgrims from the United States registered!
ONLY 8 WEEKS UNTIL WYD 2005
Included in this June newsletter for U.S. pilgrims attending WYD 2005 is the following information:
--Accommodations
--Pilgrim Backpack Contents and Pilgrim Credentials
--What to Bring
--Days of Encounter
--WYD Card
--Catechetical Sites
--Cathedral Pilgrimage
--Schedule and Youth Festival
--Meals
--Vigil and Closing Mass
--Transportation
--Those Needing Special Assistance
--US Office in Cologne During WYD 2005
--Registering with the US Consulate
--Cell Phones
--JP II Photo-Mosaic Project
--Wanted: Confessors
--International Meeting of Seminarians
--¿Habla Espanol?
--Contact Info
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ACCOMMODATIONS
If you are taking advantage of WYD housing, meaning simple accommodation, you must complete your registration before you will be assigned accommodation. You will receive your accommodation location at the end of June/beginning of July. This means that you must fill out the appropriate information in your registration account AND pay your balance.
Parishes in the Archdiocese of Cologne are responsible for accommodation and hospitality for pilgrims. Parish staff will meet groups at their arrival location and take you to your accommodation. Additionally, parish staff will arrange for group leaders to pick up pilgrim credentials (see below).
PILGRIM BACKPACKS & CREDENTIALS
What has been referred to as the “WYD 2005 Participation Certificate” is in fact the pilgrim credentials you will receive upon arriving in Cologne. Group leaders will receive the WYD 2005 badge that each pilgrim must wear. This credential grants pilgrims insurance coverage during WYD 2005, transportation service, and reduced fee or free entry to museums and other cultural/art centers events. (More information regarding transportation and the WYD-Card follows below).
Each pilgrim will receive the official WYD 2005 backpack which will include the following items:
* Map
* Pilgrim book (prayers, songs, schedule, etc.)
* Scarf
* Pin/button
* Water bottle (which will be refillable at water stations throughout the area)
* Cutlery for the meals
* Raincoat
* Inflatable cushion
Additionally, a candle will be given out at the vigil.
WHAT TO BRING
Clothing: Late August weather in Cologne is warm and possibly humid. Shorts and tee shirts are acceptable. For the Cathedral pilgrimage, however, you should wear long pants or skirts (girls, that is!). Generally, Europeans do not dress as casually as we do, especially not for Church events. Those who have traveled to churches and pilgrimage sites in Europe (for example, the Vatican) already know that shorts and tank tops are not appropriate.
Additionally, you should bring the following:
Sleeping bag—for the vigil
Flashlight
Toiletry articles
Small transistor radio (for the English broadcast of the closing Mass)
Books, puzzles, cards—for down time and before the vigil at Marienfeld
A star made from cardboard, paper, metal or wood (to trade with another pilgrim during the Sign of Peace at closing Mass).
You SHOULD NOT BRING expensive game boys, MP3 players or Ipods unless you intend to keep them with you at all times. Jewelry should be left at home along with cell phones that do not work in Europe (if you do have a cell phone that works in Europe, please note that it will be very expensive). International phone cards may be purchased there to call home.
THE WYD CARD
The WYD Card is a joint effort of the World Youth Day Office and various government and church institutions. The card allows pilgrim to free or discounted entry tickets. Sponsors of the WYD Card are listed according to each city on this downloadable form: http://www.wjt2005.de/uploads/media/FS_WJT-Card_EN.pdf.
DAYS OF ENCOUNTER
If you are able to participate in the Days of Encounter (Days in the Diocese) during WYD 2005, then think about doing so. Between August 11 and August 15 (before WYD events in the Archdiocese of Cologne) all dioceses besides Cologne will be hosting pilgrims from all over the world.
This wonderful opportunity is available to all pilgrims participating in WYD. Those hosting pilgrims during Days of Encounter have taken the motto “Guests are a blessing.” Many spaces (especially in dioceses north of Bavaria) are still available, as planning to host you began a year ago. More information about this program is available here http://www.wjt2005.de/index.php?id=56&si=1.
CATECHETICAL SITES
There will be 18 English speaking catechetical sites. Those in simple accommodation will be assigned a catechetical site close to your accommodations. If you are not using simple accommodation and are opting for alternative housing (hotel/hostel), you may have to travel some to your site (but remember, this is why you have your transportation ticket).
Catechetical sites have not been assigned yet (although the organizers are currently working on it). You will not be assigned a catechetical site or accommodation (or anything else) until you have completed your registration information and paid your balance on pilgrim fees. This means that the sooner you complete registration, the sooner you will know your assignments for accommodation and catechesis. Regardless, as long as you have registered you will know your site assignments before you leave for Germany in August.
CATHEDRAL PILGRIMAGE
All WYD 2005 participants are expected to make a pilgrimage to the Cologne Cathedral which holds the Shrine of the Magi. Your pilgrimage will be on either August 17, 18, or 19. You will be assigned a day and time to make your pilgrimage. (On the other two days, you will attend catechesis at your assigned site).
At the end of your pilgrimage there will be an international Mass on the banks of the Rhine.
St. Mary’s Press and the USCCB have put together a catechetical guide to your pilgrimage and will distribute it to group leaders via mail in mid-July.
SCHEDULE & YOUTH FESTIVAL
The schedule for WYD 2005 is available on the official website: http://www.wjt2005.de/index.php?id=425&si=1. We encourage you to check back with this website at least once a week if you are attending WYD in August, as the organizers do a fantastic job with frequent updates.
The Youth Festival will be held in all three cities (Cologne, Bonn, and Dusseldorf). General information is available at http://www.wjt2005.de/uploads/media/FS-Basisinfo-J.festival_EN.pdf and a comprehensive schedule is available at http://www.wjt2005.de/uploads/media/ChronologieEinzelveranstaltungen_02.pdf.
MEALS
Meal sites will be near catechetical venues. You will pick up lunch after your catechetical session and be given a “box” meal for dinner to take with you. (Cutlery is included in your pilgrim backpack, see above). Breakfast will be at housing sites.
VIGIL AND CLOSING MASS
Public transportation will take you within a two-mile walk of the vigil site entrance. UNLESS YOU HAVE A DISABILITY EXPECT TO WALK ATLEAST TWO MILES. Remember, this is a pilgrimage. (Even if you have contracted with a tour bus service road access will be highly limited). Your pilgrim badge will indicate your space assignment at the vigil site. Many food, medical, and sanitation facilities will be conveniently located within easy walking distance.
Some photos of Marienfeld are available online at on the official WYD 2005 website http://www.wjt2005.de/index.php?id=1225&si=1.
TRANSPORTATION
The bahn (metro/train) system is both user-friendly and convenient (not to mention clean and efficient!). Your credentials allow you to ride free for the entirety of WYD events within the Archdiocese of Cologne—meaning, the areas of Bonn, Dusseldorf, and Cologne.
Busses will be assigned a parking space for the duration of the event. They will not be able to transport you within the city limits because of congestion and, therefore, free access to public transportation will come in handy. As mentioned above, busses will be able to get you within two miles of the vigil site but not closer.
PILGRIMS IN NEED OF SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
WYD is aware of these pilgrims because you should have indicated this when you completed registration. The organizers of WYD 2005 (and the rest of us) are sensitive to these needs and will accommodate transportation and other needs as they arise. For more information regarding disability assistance at WYD 2005, please go here: http://www.wjt2005.de/index.php?id=1083&si=1.
OUR OFFICE IN COLOGNE DURING WYD 2005
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will have a temporary office in Cologne during WYD events. Our office will be in a government building behind the Hyatt Regency Hotel. It is easily accessible with bahn stops nearby. Please see the map located on our website: http://www.usccb.org/laity/youth/office.shtml.
The office will be open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. between Monday August 15 and Monday August 22. We can be reached by phone +49-221/809-6001 or +49-221/809-7607 and fax +49-221/809-7608.
U.S. CONSULATE
This is located in Dusseldorf and they are aware we are coming. They gave us much information for assisting you should a problem arise. However, to expedite replacement of passports or other services you may need, they ask that EVERY PARTICPANT REGISTER BEFORE HAND WITH THE CONSULATE. This can be done by going to www.usembassy.de and clicking on the link "Travel Registration."
They also strongly cautioned about being aware of surroundings especially at train stations. Thieves congregate there and use a system whereby one person distracts while another steals. Thieves, for some reason, especially like to take U.S. Passports. We suggest that the group leader keep all passports and, if possible, lock them in a safe place. Make copies of the passport and leave one at home, keep one on your person, and have one copy in the hands of the group leader. If the passport is stolen or lost it will be easier to replace with this information and registration at the embassy. If you must carry your passport it is suggested to carry that along with your money in a front pocket making it harder to access. A money belt is also a good idea. Please be aware that there is a fee for replacing the passport and it could be as high as $80.00.
At our office in Cologne, we will have the hours of operation for the Embassy and emergency contact numbers for other times. Hopefully with caution and care we will not have to use their service.
JP II PHOTO-MOSAIC PROJECT
This project is a joint effort between WYD 2005 and other organizations and its purpose is to say “Thank You” to the late Pope John Paul II, the founder of World Youth Day. To do this, they need you to upload your photograph at www.Thank-You-JPII.net in .jpg format. From the many photographs they will form a giant mosaic of the late Pope John Paul II.
When this project is finished the giant mosaic will be reproduced as a single giant poster and will be suspended from a rack directly in front of the Cologne Cathedral to mark the beginning of WYD 2005. All pilgrims walking to the Shrine of the Magi will pass by it.
CELL PHONES
You may rent cell (mobile) phones while in Germany. We do have the name of some contacts and offers. If you are interested please contact us, although it is cheaper to buy phones and use prepaid cards. The drawback in purchasing is that the phones are only good in Europe.
WANTED: CONFESSORS
A Reconciliation Centre will be set up. This Centre will be a place for worship and contemplation, and, most importantly, the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Between 8 a.m. and midnight confessors will be available to hear confessions from young pilgrims in their own language.
If you are a priest who can hear confessions, then please register with the WYD 2005 organizers at https://www.piso2005.com/Confessor/default.asp?Language=1. Even if you do not register and arrive at WYD 2005 and would like to hear confessions, then you will be able to register at the Confessor’s Registration Counter at the Reconciliation Centre. Applicants will be expected to present their celebrant card and purple stoles will be provided.
Please contact Gina DiSalvo at wyd@usccb.org or (202) 541-5417 if you have questions on registering or offering services at the Reconciliation Centre.
INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF SEMINARIANS
On Wednesday afternoon, August 17, an international gathering of seminarians will be held in the forecourt of St. Pantaleon (Am Pantaleonsburg 2, 50676 Koln) from 3:30 to 6 p.m. All candidates for the priesthood and the priests in charge of their formation are invited to take St. John-Marie Vianney as an example to encounter the Eucharistic Jesus in the community of others who feel the call of the priesthood from Him.
St. Pantaleon, built in the Romanesque style, holds the tombs of the founders of the church, Saint Archbishop Bruno of Koln and Byzantine Empress Theophanu. Additionally, the relics of the heart of St. John-Marie Vianney will be present. The Bishop of Belley-Ars has given permission to bring the relics of the saint to Cologne for this special gathering of seminarians at WYD 2005. This will be the first time the relics will be outside of France!
For more information on this gathering for seminarians and their formation directors, please contact Gina DiSalvo at wyd@usccb.org or (202) 541-5417.
*NOTE: If seminarians are traveling with your group, then please let us know.
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¿Habla Espanol?
The Spanish version of our website is also available online. Most information available in English is also available in Spanish. Available to Spanish speakers and readers will be WYD information specifically geared towards U.S. pilgrims. Visit our homepage, www.wydusa.org and click on the “en Espanol” link.
Contact Info
For additional information please visit the Official German WYD 2005 website at www.wyd2005.org or the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) website www.wydusa.org. If you have any further questions you can reach us by telephone (202) 541-5417, e-mail wyd@usccb.org, or fax at (202) 541-3176.