These will form the climax of the 15^th World Day of Youth.  A huge field of 330 hectares will be covered with the joyful colours of one and a half million young people participating in the Vigil, on the evening of 19^th August, and the Holy Eucharist on 20^th August at which the Holy Father will preside.  From the morning the wait will be accompanied by song, prayers, testimonies, moments of reflection, and recalling of the various stages of the World Day of Youth.

The Angelus - Time out (19^th August)

Traditionally in villages and towns, at midday the bells of our churches ring out, as a musical invitation to pause for a moment in work and activity, and lift our thoughts to heaven.  This is the Angelus – a prayer which takes its name from its opening words: Angelus Domini… The Angel of the Lord brought tidings to Mary.  From this word, time stands still, and opens.  The Holy Father in his letter to Young people for the 15^th World Day of Youth, reminds them that it is indeed with the recitation of the Angelus over the centuries that Christian piety has remembered every day the entry of God into human history.  And so the young people will observe a pause at this moment, a “time out” on the dot of mid-day, in their journey towards Tor Vergata, and gather in small groups to join in prayer with those around them.

In the Vigil, the profound content of the World Day, the dynamic of offering-up/receiving-back of the faith, will be expressed through the dimensions of narration (taking as themes the memory, the fidelity and the novelty of faith in Christ, and allowing for testimonies of faith in history and in the present:  Mary, in the first place, then the Apostles Peter and Paul, the saints and martyrs of the Roman Church and the Churches in Italy in particular). Then comes the dialogue between the Pope and the young people, on their questions and expectations relating to the faith on the threshold of the third millennium.  And finally, celebration, to give back faith to the young people, and its expression in the various languages of the world of youth.

After a night spent in the open, awaiting the light of dawn, the participants in the 15^th World Day of Youth will take part in the celebration of the Holy Mass.  All the Bishops and priests will wear a chasuble presented by the Italian Committee, and made for the occasion by Italian nuns.  There will be special points around the field where the Holy Communion will be distributed. The Eucharist, a thank-offering by Christ to the Father, also demands that we should join with this thanksgiving with the offering of our lives – together with that of Christ – to the Father for the salvation of the world, and for the service to our brethren which attends on our witness.  All the young people will be invited in this way to return to their lands to bring with them and live out that Credo which they professed and celebrated in Rome.