Kevin Misquith
Krakow (Poland), Jul 28: The XXXI edition of World Youth Day was off to a vibrant and colourful start here on Tuesday July 26.
The holy mass and inagural ceremony was held at Blonia Park. More than two million Catholic youth from all corners of the world gathered for the inagural holy mass clebrated by cardinal Stanislaw Dsiwisz along with more than 200 bishops of various nationalities and thousands of priests and nuns.
The Blonia Park was nothing less than a sea of humanity with youth gathered from across the globe with 'Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy' being the theme of WYD 2016.
This World Youth Day is a most special one as it is being hosted in Krakow, Poland, the birth place of Pope St John Paul II, who initiated the concept of World Youth Days.
The event will go on till July 31.
Pope Francis is expected to arrive in Krakow on July 28 and spend the rest of the days with the young people gathered here. More than 3 million people are expected to gather for the final mass and the closing ceremony to be celebrated by the Pope Francis.
With young people from across more than 150 countries of the world being gatheted here, it is estimated that more than a thousand young piligrims are taking part from India. The Indian delegation is led by Dr Henry D'Souza, bishop of Ballari and chairman of Youth Commison of India.
It is a matter of pride that three youths from Mangaluru and Udupi dioceses have been selected to work with the organizing commitee in putting together this mega event.
Popular singer and well-known as the 'rockstar' of Konkani music Kevin Misquith, ace anchor Sheldon Crasta from Mangaluru, known for 'Adkulo Budkulo', and 'Hashyacho Pavs' of Daijiworld 24x7, along with Loyal D'Souza, president of ICYM Udupi diocese are among the only 15 selected from India. They have been selected after due procedures and trained for the purpose for two weeks.
The city of Krakow is set a buzz with young pligrims from all around the world. It also happens to be the city of yet another saint, St Sister Faustina. It is also known for devotion is called as 'City of Divine Mercy'.