Faithful gathering for World Youth Day

Catholic Youth from across the Diocese of Corpus Christi will gather tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at the Corpus Christi International Airport to depart for Rio de Janeiro to join Pope Francis and a worldwide gathering of young people at this year’s World Youth Day.

“I will keep you up to date day-by-day during WYD. Please join all the pilgrims– many young pilgrims on this flight–in praying for all our young people that they may be true evangelizers. That is the responsibility now of all of us. Let us reach out to those around us in a true spirit of Joy and enthusiasm for our faith in Jesus,” Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey wrote to the faithful while inflight to Brazil.

World Youth Day is a four-day gathering of youth and young adults for prayer, worship and celebration of the Catholic faith, highlighted by the presence of Pope Francis. The Theme for this years gathering is "Go and Make Disciples of all Nations."

More than two million youth are expected to attend. Aside from regular hotel accommodations, more than 300,000 beds are being made available in family homes, sports arenas and schools in Rio. The Holy Father will greet pilgrims on a stage overlooking Copacabana beach on July 25, followed by a large vigil and concluding Mass at a site near Guaratiba outside of Rio de Janeiro on the morning of July 28. The Mass will be simulcast live by EWTN and the faithful in Corpus Christi will gather at St. Joseph Hall at Corpus Christi Cathedral at 6 a.m. to participate in the liturgy.