Countdown to KingdomCome@Walsingham

For the 25th year running, Youth 2000 will welcome more than a thousand 16 to 30 year olds to the Roman Catholic Shrine of Our Lady in Walsingham, for the highly anticipated ‘KingdomCome@Walsingham’ prayer festival. Taking place between the 22-26 August 2013, this Christ-centred festival will engage participants in captivating keynote talks, dynamic interactive workshops, live music (praise and worship), adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, daily Mass, sports and social times and friendship-building.

Experienced in leading young people into a deeper relationship with Christ through the Sacraments and teachings of the Church, Youth 2000 are at the forefront of youth evangelisation in the UK, seeing a 300% increase in attendance numbers of 16-17 year olds, and double the number of 18-30 year olds attending from 2011 to 2012.

Claz Gomez, a member of Youth 2000’s leadership team says: “I’m so excited to see the future generations of the Church on fire for Jesus Christ and His Church. At Youth 2000, Jesus sits on a throne (we call it the burning bush), and we receive His Word into our hearts; “Behold, I make all things new” (cf. Rev 21:5). Every year, I am seeing more and more 16-30 year olds attending the Walsingham Prayer Festival, experiencing profound conversion, and returning home eager to fall even deeper in love with Jesus and entering into active participation in their local parish. Their witness testifies to the power of God working through Youth 2000 to build God’s Kingdom in the UK.”

This year, two internationally renowned speakers, make their debut talks in the UK at ‘KingdomCome@Walsingham’. Chris Padgett: musician, author, lecturer at Franciscan University Steubenville, and loving husband and father to nine children, has over ten years experience speaking to youth all over the world. Chris will be speaking on Reconciliation on Friday 23rd August as well as running a workshop on Saturday.

Monsignor Robert Sarno, of the Diocese of Brooklyn, USA, works within the Vatican as an official of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints. He is a firm favourite with students from the Emmanuel School of Mission in Rome. With hands-on knowledge on the beatification and canonisation processes of holy men and women for the Church (and currently working on the case for Mother Teresa), Msgr. Sarno will give Sunday’s talk on holiness as well as a workshop on Saturday entitled: ‘How to become a saint’.

Most young people attend a Youth 2000 retreat as a result of personal invitation. Due to the festival experience, the joyful atmosphere, and the genuinely welcoming spirit of volunteers and leaders, the majority of attendees are acutely impacted by God’s love transmitted through their peers. The result: a transformation of being, with a desire to proclaim: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in my life”! This has led to a recognition of Youth 2000’s contribution toward consecrated vocations. Three newly ordained priests, who acknowledge that Youth 2000 has played a significant part in their vocational journey, will be present to give first blessings, homilies and talks throughout the festival. We are honoured to welcome the Right Reverend Mark Davies, Bishop of Shrewsbury, as well as many other priests and religious including the Franciscan Friars and Sisters of the Renewal, the Missionaries of Charity and the Poor Clare Colletines.

KingdomCome@Walsingham will be a great follow up to help keep the flame burning, for all those set on fire at ‘World Youth Day’. Or, for those unable to make it to Rio, this opportunity of pilgrimage to Walsingham is a highly recommended alternative. It will also provide a fantastic climax as the Year of Faith starts to enter into its sunset.

Ben Hince, aged 20, encourages his peers that KingdomCome@Walsingham will be a place for a “beautifully authentic encounter with Christ and a unique opportunity to share with other young Catholics.” Youth 2000 invites all participants to give what they can financially towards the costs of the festival.

Fiona Mansford, Managing Director of Youth 2000 says: “We do not want anyone to be put off coming to any Youth 2000 events because they cannot afford it. All retreats are donation only and if you cannot afford the donation, then please give what you can. Don’t let anything stop you from coming!” Coaches will pick up festival-goers from four different locations around England and Wales (fares as low as £20), and drop them off at Walsingham, where they will encounter a Church that is alive, young and fruitful, and realise that they have come to the presence of the ‘Kingdom of God’. For more information, to book, or to contribute financially towards the festival contact:
0207 221 2124
info@youth2000.org
www.youth2000.org