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Prayers for World Youth Day 2002
Devotions
This book published by the Oregon Catholic Press is written for pilgrims to the 2002 World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada. It contains reflections, prayers, songs and short histories of World Youth Day and the World Youth Day Cross. These guide the reader to a more meaningful trip -- pilgrimage -- around the cross of Jesus Christ. Here is an excerpt from the book:
LIVING THE MISSION AS A CALL TO WITNESS
The young people of any parish who are planning to attend World Youth Day are encouraged to make of the trip something more than simply an excursion: to make it a pilgrimage celebrating their baptism and the call to live in faith by being witnesses to their life in Christ. This call to some kind of ministry in their community may be initiated by a ritual calling them to witness.
INVITATION TO PRAYER
Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made.
All: Let us rejoice and be glad.
Leader: Blessed are those who come in the name of the Lord.
All: Blessed are those who come from the house of the Lord.
Leader: God is our light. God is our way. God's love is forever.
All: We thank you God, for your love and your goodness.
A song may then be sung, such Os "City of God" (CBWIII: 345), "Only this I Want" (CBWIII: 516), "Before the Sun Burned Bright" (CBWIII: 504) or any other song about the Church's mission. See CBW III under "Mission."
The leader says a few words of introduction reflecting that in order to enter into a pilgrimage at the invitation of the Pope, it is important to recall that each one who is baptized in Christ is a disciple of Christ. Preparing for the pilgrimage includes living out baptism to the fullest.
READING THE WORD OF GOD
Leader: Let us listen to the words of the gospel according to Matthew. (28.18-20)
Reader: Jesus came and said the disciples,
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything
that I have commanded you.
And remember, I am with you always,
to the end of the age."
All pause for a few moments of reflection on these words.
The following responsorial psalm, Psalm 16, may be sung (for musical setting see CBW III: 941 or said or a suitable song may be used.
Refrain: Show us, Lord, the path of life.
Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord, "You are my God."
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup.
It is you yourself who are my prize. (Ref.)
I bless you, Lord, you give me counsel,
and even at night direct my heart.
I keep you, Lord, ever in my sight,
since you are at my right hand, I shall stand firm. (Ref.)
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay. (Ref.)
You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever. (Ref.)
A PSALM OF SERVICE
The following is alternated between leader, reader(s) and the assembly:
Leader: The harvest is ready. Whom shall I send?
R1: Send me, O God, I am ready to serve you, all the days of my life.
All: Go into the workplace, and into the streets,
and reveal God's saving Spirit through the quality of your life.
Leader: The world is waiting. Whom shall I send?
R2: Send me, O God, I am ready to speak of you, all the days of my life.
All: Preach the Good News in all you do and say:
heal, help, teach, touch, in good times and difficult times,
and live for the glory of God.
Leader: The world is hungry. Whom shall I send?
R3: Send me, O God, I am ready to nourish, all the days of my life.
All: Feed the hungry of body and spirit,
break the bread of compassion,
distribute the fragments of hope,
be fed by the Bread of life and feast on the Word of God.
Leader: My people are hurting. Whom shall I send?
R4: Send me, O God, I am ready to heal, all the days of my life.
All: Be a healing presence,
a sign of hope in a world of confusion and unrest.
Listen, love, labour.
Leader: The vineyard is ready. Whom shall I send?
R5: Send me, O God, I am ready to work for you, all the days of my life.
All: Enter into, and love the mission,
and your different ministries.
Labour for justice, share your presence,
and may you find contentment in your commitment
to serve others with a loving heart.
Leader: My people yearn for a listening heart. Whom shall I send?
R6: Send me, O God, I am ready to be your listening presence, all the days of my life.
All: Open your eyes, open your ears, open your hearts.
Listen to the cries of the people
and strive to make a difference in their lives.
Leader: The world needs to know and believe in the goodness of a provident God. Whom shall I send?
R7: Send me, O God, I am ready to proclaim your providence, all the days of my life.
All: This is what the Lord asks of you, only this:
To act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God.
Leader: The people cry for compassion. Whom shall I send?
R8: Send me, O God, I am ready to reach out, all the days of my life.
All: Be the hands of compassion, the feet of compassion,
the heart of compassion.
Be God's face in the world to the people that are called to serve.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
Leader: Loving God,
through baptism you entrusted us
with a mission to the entire world
You gave each one of us an individual mission,
to serve you in others wherever we are.
We ask your blessing as we try to be your hands and feet,
serving you each in our own way.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Source for "A Psalm of Service":
Servant Song, Donna Marie McGargil, OSM
OCP Publications
Oregon Catholic Press, 1964 or 1984; 1-800-548-8749
The ritual may conclude with the sign of peace and/or an appropriate song such as "Here I am, Lord" (CBWIII: 520).
Prayers for World Youth Day 2002
Prayers For World Youth Day 2002 provides reflections, prayers, services, songs and background information on the various World Youth Day 2002 celebrations. Covering the diocesan celebrations that precede the main event in Toronto, the book will be useful before, during and after WYD 2002. (Oregon Catholic Press)
With: Light of the World CD
More on YFC Conference and World Youth Day 2002:
_ digs on conference and wyd2k2
_ prayer for wyd2k2
_ pope's message
_ salt and light
_ crossing the border (Da ILL State Web site)
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