Alphonsian Day during WYD 2016

The special Alphonsian Day during WYD is a tradition for many years. This year the Alphonsian Day was held on 27th July in Cracow. About one thousand five hundred young people from more than 20 countries met together in Podgorski Square, close to our Redemptorist Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Cracow.

Almost all the young people from our Redemptorist groups were hosted by the parishioners and also in the schools within our parish boundaries during all these days of WYD.

The Alphonsian day started with prayer and a catechesis led by Bishop Andrzej Czaja from Poland.  The theme of the catechesis was “A time of mercy.” It was connected to the main message of WYD 2016. After the catechesis, Bishop Czaja answered the questions of the young people, and then presided at Mass. About 100 priests with the Superior General Fr. Michael Brehl celebrated that Mass.

The “Youth Festival” started in the afternoon and lasted until midnight. It was a celebration of faith and joy. The Redemptorist youth from different countries presented their national dances, dresses and songs.

The Polish Youth Group presented also a special performance of the history of Poland and the history of Christianity in Poland. This year is the 1050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland.

During the festival Father General talked about youth ministries in Redemptorist Units all over the world.

One of the most important moments of the evening time was the procession with the icon of  Our Lady of Perpetual Help and the prayer led by the Superior General.

In some ways, this procession has initiated the pilgrimage of the icon in the Conference of Redemptorists of Europe. The icon will visit almost all Redemptorist communities in Europe.

Fr. Jacek Zdrzałek CSSR