International Handbook for the XX World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne "We have come to worship Him" (Mt 2,2) www.wjt2005.de International Handbook for the XX World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne "We have come to worship Him" (Mt 2:2) Contents Foreword by Archbishop Cardinal Joachim Meisner 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Message from Pope John Paul II to the youth of the world on the occasion of XX World Youth Day 2005 1.2 The Holy Father's message to the youth of the world on the occasion of XX World Youth Day 2005 - a spiritual background - Rev Ulrich Hennes 1.3 Prayer – On the way to World Youth Day 2005 1.4 Motto song 2 TRANSFORMATION 2.1 Gospel: Mt 2,1-12 2.1.1 "We have come to worship Him" (Mt 2:2). The spiritual motto of World Youth Day – Prelate Dr Heiner Koch 2.1.2 Cologne Cathedral – An image of Heaven - Bishop D. Friedhelm Hofmann 2.1.3 Interesting facts about the Three Kings – Rev Josef Funk 2.1.4 Bible work – Two methodological ideas 2.2 "We" 2.2.1 We, the youth of the world - Young people relate their experiences at previous World Youth Days 2.2.2 Ideas for a day of contemplation on the subject of "we" 2.2.3 We, the Church – Werner Höbsch 2.2.4 Pope John Paul II 2.2.5 The World Youth Day patrons – Monsignor Axel Werner 2.2.6 Suggestions for a discussion evening: Following the star - saints as stars 2.3 "have come" 2.3.1 Setting off – The journey – Longing – Katharina Karl - 1 - 2.3.2 Pilgrimage – a portrayal of the situation of life in time and space – Rev Josef Funk 2.3.3 Suggestions for a day of contemplation "… have come …" 2.3.4 Quiz on religion and the Bible 2.3.5 Suggestions for a day of contemplation: The path of the astrologers (Mt 2:1- 12) – Bernhard Riedl 2.4 "to Him" 2.4.1 Suggestions for contemplation: "Who do you say that I am?" (Mt 16:15) 2.4.2 I would like to get to know God 2.4.3 Encountering Christ 2.4.3.1 Encountering Christ in your brother/sister 2.4.3.2 Encountering Christ in the Sacrament of Reconciliation – Werner Höbsch 2.5 "...to worship Him" 2.5.1 Prayer and worship as an encounter with God as "YOU" – Kardinal Joachim Meisner 2.5.2 "We have come to worship Him" Theological and spiritual dimension – Bishop Franz-Josef Bode 2.5.3 Encountering Christ in prayer 2.5.4 Encountering Christ in the Eucharist – Dr. Veronika Ruf 2.5.4.1 Eucharistic worship – an introduction – Andreas Schwenzer 2.5.4.2 Proposal to design a worship hour 2.5.4.3 Eucharistic prayer hour in preparation of World Youth Day – Rev Ulrich Hennes 2.5.5 Contemplating Christ with Mary 2.5.6 Open church night – Michael Kühn/Werner Höbsch 3 OUTLOOK - 2 - Foreword by Archbishop Cardinal Joachim Meisner Rome/Cologne, April 14, 2005 Dear youth ministry workers, Dear pilgrims traveling to the XX World Youth Day in Cologne! As I write my foreword, still moved by our farewell to our Holy Father John Paul II, the College of Cardinals is preparing for the Conclave when it will elect a new Pope for our Church, with the help of God and the prayers of the His people. At the same time, the preparations for the XX World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne continue. It was a long-standing wish of John Paul II that Germany, and the city of Cologne, would once play host to World Youth Day. At my last visit to the Holy Father in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome just a few weeks before his death, he assured me that he would come to the XX World Youth Day in Cologne, if God would let him. When Pope John Paul II invited the youth of the world to Cologne at the end of World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto, we resolved to make every effort possible to make the Holy Father's wish come true. In Toronto, he said, "Christ awaits you there [Cologne] for the twentieth World Youth Day!" We feel especially bound to respect his words at this time. Maybe the Holy Father already sensed that his pilgrimage here on Earth would not lead him to that station. Yet what great enthusiasm was aroused in Germany's dioceses, and specifically in the Archdiocese of Cologne, when the World Youth Day Cross was returned by young Canadians to the Holy Father on Palm Sunday 2003 and he entrusted it to us, together with the Icon of Our Lady. Since then the Cross and the Icon have been traveling throughout Europe and, since Palm Sunday 2004, through the German dioceses. The Cross and the Icon are John Paul II's gift to the youth of the world and will accompany them from one World Youth Day to the next, thus maintaining their connection with John Paul II. We have always perceived seen our efforts in preparing for World Youth Day as a service to Christ and the Church, to the youth of the world, to peace and reconciliation, but also as a service to the Holy Father. Our commitment is our way of thanking him for all the years he guided and shaped the Church and during which he always had a loving concern for young people. Now, especially since his death, we all understand offer our commitment to World Youth Day 2005 as a heartfelt sign of our gratitude to John Paul II and as one of encouragement and support for the new Pope. It is already clear that John Paul II has made a significant contribution to the character of the XX World Youth Day in Cologne. Not only did he initiate the series of World Youth Day events, he also gave them their basic structure. Above all, he gave the XX World Youth Day its unmistakable character by assigning it the motto "We have come to worship Him" (Mt 2:2). These words also reflect the philosophy of his pontificate. Unlike any other Pope before him, John Paul II traveled far and wide to include people around the world in his worship of Jesus Christ. During the final years of his pontificate, "worship" became an increasingly central element of his work and his sermons. We feel blessed that we can celebrate World Youth Day in the Year of the Eucharist that was proclaimed by John Paul II. - 3 - At the same time we are eagerly anticipating the visit of the new Holy Father. God determined that this World Youth Day was not to be the last such event for John Paul II, but rather the first World Youth Day for his successor. We now give our full support to him as the new successor to the Petrine ministry. We look forward to celebrating World Youth Day in Cologne with the blessing that John Paul II will surely send us from heaven and the blessing that the new Holy Father is for us all. The XX World Youth Day in Cologne will be an amazing event, I am sure of it. To all youth ministry workers and young people who are making their way to the XX World Youth Day, I wish God's blessings upon you and remind you of the words of John Paul II's message to the youth of the world on the occasion of the XX World Youth Day: "It is important for you not only to concern yourselves with the practical arrangements for World Youth Day, but first of all you must carefully prepare yourselves spiritually, in an atmosphere of faith and listening to the Word of God." With my warmest wishes, I remain Yours truly + Cardinal Joachim Meisner Archbishop of Cologne - 4 - 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Message from Pope John Paul II to the youth of the world on the occasion of XX World Youth Day 2005 "We have come to worship Him" (Mt 2:2). My dear young people! 1. This year we have celebrated the 19th World Youth Day, meditating on the desire expressed by some Greeks who had gone to Jerusalem for the Passover: "We wish to see Jesus" (Jn 12:21). And here we are now, making our way to Cologne where, in August 2005, the XX World Youth Day is to be celebrated. "We have come to worship him" (Mt 2:2): this is the theme of the next World Youth Day. It is a theme that enables young people from every continent to follow in spirit the path taken by the Magi whose relics, according to a pious tradition, are venerated in this very city, and to meet, as they did, the Messiah of all nations. It is true to say that the light of Christ had already opened the minds and the hearts of the Magi. "They went their way" (Mt 2:9), says the Evangelist, setting out boldly along unknown paths on a long, and by no means easy, journey. They did not hesitate to leave everything behind in order to follow the star that they had seen in the East (cf. Mt 2:2). Imitating the Magi, you young people are also making preparations to set out on a "journey" from every region of the world to go to Cologne. It is important for you not only to concern yourselves with the practical arrangements for World Youth Day, but first of all you must carefully prepare yourselves spiritually, in an atmosphere of faith and listening to the Word of God.