Another highlight of the week of World Youth Day is the Way of the Cross, prayed all together with approximately 400,000 attendees and pope Francis.
Youth lined the coast, waving their flags as the solemn ceremony began with a choir.
Then, the stations began, as the WYD Cross was transported around the stage, with different areas representing different stations. Each station had a different intention and were presented by varying countries in Latin America and North America who needed prayers in a special way.
For example, those from Venezuela prayed for migrants, Colombia's intention was for peace and reconciliation, in Nicaragua the prayer intention was for abortion and for the United States, all prayers were directed toward mothers.
Some of the stations were marked by interpretive dance.
At the end of the prayer, Pope Francis touched on and summarized each of the horrors that were prayed for during the Way of the Cross.
POPE FRANCIS
“We have looked away in order not to see; we have taken refuge in noise in order not to hear; we have covered our mouths in order not to cry out. The temptation is always the same.Your Son’s way of the cross continues in young people with downcast faces who have lost the ability to dream, create and shape their future, and have already chosen to 'retire' in glum resignation or complacency, one of the narcotics most consumed in our time.”
He said too often Christians are guilty of apathy and a lack of action. They go along with the crowd instead of standing up. He said the Church and its members should support and accompany others, who are also carrying crosses and walking all together on the path of life.
POPE FRANCIS
“Lord, teach us to stand, at the foot of the cross, at the foot of every cross. Open our eyes and hearts this night, and rescue us from paralysis and uncertainty, from fear and desperation.”
The event concluded with a traditional Latin American song, “Alma Misionera” or Missionary Soul in English. It also begins the second half of WYD in Panama, leading toward the conclusion on Sunday.
