The opening Mass for World Youth Day begins approximately six hours from now, but despite the invasion of pilgrims and confusion in the streets of Madrid, one area that is very well-organized involves the priests who have come to WYD. More than 14,000 priests are expected to be in attendance, but more than just attending—they will be serving the millions of young faithful who have come to Madrid to celebrate their faith by celebrating the Catholic sacraments.
The credentials that the priests had to apply for online many months ago through the office of the archbishop of Madrid have been prepared and are currently being distributed to the priests in the various places they are staying—from schools, to parishes, to rectories and hotels. It consists of a photo ID with the word SACERDOTES—Spanish for “priest”—written in red capital letters across the front. Priests are expected to wear these and show them whenever conducting Catholic services throughout the week. Of course, most priests at World Youth Day are of the “John Paul II generation,” and typically dress in their clerical wear or religious habits, making it easy to identify them. It is the same for most of the religious sisters who are attendance. This is a generation that does not see a value in being religiously invisible to the Church and world around them.
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