Panamá. The XXXIV World Youth Day is held in Panama from 22 to 27 January 2019, with the theme “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38).
Young people from different parts of the world are ready to experience one of the greatest events in the life of the Church, which brings together thousands and thousands of people, this time at the center of the American continent, Panama: World Youth Day. Some have already departed as volunteers, others are arriving in the dioceses for prayer and discussion during these days, and some will leave in the coming days.
It is a great celebration for the Salesian World due to the presence of our Holy Father Pope Francis, and also for the Rector Major, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, and the Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Mother Yvonne Reungoat.
Pope Francis will leave Rome on January 23 and arrive in Panama the same day. On Thursday 24th he will be greeted by the Country’s authorities and the President of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez. He will also meet with the Central American bishops. In the afternoon there will be a ceremony to welcome and open World Youth Day 2019, in the “Campo Santa María la Antigua” – Cinta Costera.
During his stay in Panama, the Holy Father will have various occasions to meet thousands of young people. He will end his visit with the celebration of Holy Mass on Sunday, January 27, in the huge “St. John Paul II Park” – Metro Park, where about 250,000 people are expected.
The official hymn of WYD Panama 2019 is characterized by the rhythms typical of the Panamanian culture. Its notes will resound and its words will be sung on the five continents.
It was written and composed by Abdiel Jiménez, a catechist who is also the author of various liturgical pieces and a member of various choirs. He received his degree from the Faculty of Religious Sciences of the Catholic University of Santa Maria L’Antigua. The hymn takes inspiration from the theme of WYD Panama chosen by the Holy Father: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38).
Using a rich overlapping of symbols, the logo celebrates devotion to the Virgin Mary and the places where WYD 2019 will take place: a stylized heart, part of which forms the letter “M”; the Panama Canal that is the journey of the pilgrim who discovers in Mary the way to meet Jesus; and the Isthmus, emblem of the Panamanian nation.
The colors represent the Passion, Mary’s dress, the sea, and the colors of the national flag: on the left in red is the pilgrim cross; on the right in blue and azure is the silhouette of the Virgin, surmounted by five white points, the crown of stars that is transformed into the five continents from which the pilgrims arrive.
Interview with Ambar Calvo, designer of the official logo
Thousands of other young people will live the spirit of World Youth Day at home. Various groups and dioceses all over the world have organized parallel events to reach those who would like to participate in the World Youth Day and cannot do so.
So if you cannot get to WYD, WYD will come to you!
