Two million pilgrims!

The Archbishop of Madrid says he's preparing to welcome some two
million young people for the 2011 World Youth Day -- half of whom are
expected from outside Spain. Will you be one? Search 'Madrid' in the groups page, and get joining - maybe you'll find your own  diocese group?

Interviews with WYD figures

A Spanish radio station has interviewed the communications director for WYD2011, Santiago de la Cierva. It's in Spanish. And a Spanish newspaper interviewed Madrid's archbishop who spoke about WYD and its importance for young people and what they are planning for 2011.

You can find links to the interviews in our Madrid 2011 news section.

Cardinal Rouco Varela on WYD cross journey

Monday, Sept 14, sees the World Youth Day cross and icon start its pilgrimage around Spain prior to the 2011 event. Cardinal Antonio Rouco Varela, Madrid’s archbishop, has written a letter to young people to mark the start of the journey of the cross and icon.

You can read about the letter here, plus we have linked to the original text in Spanish and to news reports on the letter in various languages.

Exclusive interview with top WYD official

iActiv8 has an exclusive interview with one of the key people of the Madrid WYD team - Director of Communications, Santiago de la Cierva. We asked about what he thinks  WYD2011 will acheive, its missionary dimension, and the role of social networking. Read his comments here.

WYD Cross to Start Journey

Sept. 14, the feast of the triumph of the cross, will mark the beginning of the youth day icons' travels through Spain. In addition to the cross, there is an icon of the Virgin Mary that goes from place to place in preparation for World Youth Day.

The start of the journey will be marked with a prayer vigil, at the end of which a group of young people will set out with the cross and icon. Read about it in different languages here.

Co-patron proposed

Spain's bishops are proposing that Blessed Mary Raphael Arnaiz Baron, better known as "Brother Raphael," be a co-patron of WYD2011. They have written a pastoral letter about this, addressed to young people. You can read the details here, plus there are links to Spanish and Portuguese versions of the story.

Main sites for 2011 chosen

Madrid's archbishop, Cardinal Rouco, has announced where the vigil and final Mass for WYD2011 will be held. The site for the opening Mass and Way of the Cross has been chosen as well. You can read the details here, along with links to maps and more information. The countdown continues!

More translations

The Zenit story is now translated into German and Italian. And an Xt3 member kindly translated the article into English and posted it on the site.Thank you, Ana Lúcia Paulo Dos Santos.

Zenit reports of the launch of iActiv8!

Currently only in the Spanish and Portuguese sections of Zenit,  the news that Xt3 is getting everyone on the road to Madrid is spreading! If you would like to translate the article into English, feel free! Perhaps you could post about it here, or in any of the other Madrid groups!