Juventutem USA News

[Juventutem USA sent me the following piece to post on the NLM.]

"The Catholic group Juventutem will once again take part in World Youth Day, with an extensive program of liturgical, musical and devotional events. As readers of NLM will most likely already know, Juventutem is a multi-national organization devoted to the sanctification of youth through traditional Roman Catholic means – most especially the extraordinary form of the Roman rite. The New Liturgical Movement is one of the many organizations and religious orders supporting Juventutem 2008 in Sydney, Australia, and the coordinators of Juventutem are deeply grateful for the interest and good will demonstrated by these supporting groups.

"As at the previous WYD in Cologne in 2005, the week of WYD itself will be preceded by a week of spiritual preparation for the Juventutem contingent, this time in Melbourne. This week will include daily Tridentine Mass; rosaries and other devotions; Eucharistic adoration; lauds, vespers and compline; and catechesis. A chant workshop and pilgrims’ choir will also be part of the activities in Australia. At WYD week in Sydney, similar activities are planned, as well as attendance at the Papal Mass and Stations of the Cross.

"In 2005, there was no formal “Juventutem USA” group leaving from the United States – pilgrims made their own way to Germany and were met in the airport by Juventutem representatives. Despite this rather haphazard arrangement, 35 pilgrims from North America joined the rest of the group in Germany and over 800 people in total were registered with Juventutem. Out of these 35 Americans (which does not include a number of American seminarians who were part of Juventutem), there have been three vocations – two men have since become seminarians and one woman is in the process of becoming a Norbertine sister.

"According to the USCCB’s 2006 report on vocations to the priesthood, “More than a third of the responding ordinands have participated in World Youth Day. Among diocesan ordinands, 35 percent have participated and among religious ordinands 28 percent have participated.” (Report). Despite the arguments made by devout Catholics who are opposed to World Youth Days in general for certainly valid reasons, it appears that it is a popular activity with those considering vocations. This is one reason why it is important that Latin Mass groups come to WYD and exhibit the profound devotion to the Faith and the Mass that is their hallmark.

"This time around there is a formal Juventutem USA group organized for WYD 2008, led by Fr. Denis Buchholz of the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest. The group will leave from San Francisco to Melbourne, July 7-26. The cost is $2900 for the 20 days, which includes almost everything except a few dinners. The extra five days after WYD will be spent in Melbourne, exploring the wildlife and natural wonders of Australia. All Catholics aged 16-30 are invited to join Juventutem. More details on the program in Australia can be found here and information on registering with the Juventutem group can be found at www.juventutemusa.org. Registering as soon as possible is important for Juventutem, as the group needs to be able to show enough numbers to secure the desired church in Sydney."