Msgr. Miguel Delgado Galindo, who was appointed undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity on June 18, told L’Osservatore Romano that World Youth Day is not a “Catholic Woodstock.”
“Whoever is familiar with WYD knows that it is a stupendous occasion for
evangelizing youth, a marvelous way for a personal encounter with Jesus
in the presence of the Pope,” said Msgr. Delgado, who was looking
forward to a career as an attorney before attending the 1989 World Youth
Day in Santiago de Compostela and deciding to enter the seminary.
“So
the real protagonist is Christ, not the show, nor the multitude of young
people. It can’t be considered the ‘Catholic Woodstock,’ a
multicultural festival of Catholic young people which leaves no lasting
trace when the lights go down.”
“Although it is an event which involves crowds, every single young
person who participates remains profoundly moved,” he added. “WYD--if
lived as a possibility to encounter Christ--can transform the lives of
those who take part.”
In addition, the director of the Holy See Press Office said in his
weekly commentary that World Youth Day has now touched three generations
and will help the youth of the digital age to be “protagonists” in the
proclamation of Christ.
“The generation of the 1960s confused revolutionary and libertarian
ideas with their own personal contradictions,” said Father Federico
Lombardi.
“The generation of the 1980s witnessed the fall of the Berlin
Wall, experienced the charisma of John Paul II, and were more open to
the spiritual dimension in their lives. The generation of the third
millennium is the generation of the internet and social networks, the
youth of the digital age.”
“We are asked to join the Pope in Madrid, conscious that we are facing a
new and important challenge: that of proclaiming Christ to the present
generation, of inviting them to become the protagonists of this
proclamation in the new areas of their lives--both geographically and
virtually,” he added.