Santiago de Compostela was the place of choice of John Paul II for the international event of World Youth Day. Legend has it that St. James the apostle made his final journey in spain to proclaim the Gospel. The Pope Chose Santiago de Compostela because it is the epitome of the pilgrim church in Europe. And also at that time, the decline of vocations was evident in Europe especially in this solid Catholic country in the Mediterranean. It was fitting enough that to rekindle the fire of vocations among the young people, Spain should take lead in the cause. After all, It was Spain that brought Christianity to Asia and America.

THEME: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (Jn 14:6)

LOGO

1. The light represents Christ over the World. Our guiding star, our beacon in our Journey.
2. The yellow ray eminating from the light represents journey, travel or way. It exhibits a dynamic gesture of seemingly enveloping the globe which symbolizes our own journey around the world in proclamation of the Gospel.
3. The shell is a representation of the symbolical emblem of St. James the Great (the Apostle and Brother of St. John). According to tradition, after the Martyrdom ofSt. James, his body was transfered to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. His relics are believed to be in Compostela. Many doubts has been cast on the authenticity of the claim, but Leo XIII finally silenced the incredulity by once and for all favoring with tradition with his encyclical “Omnipotens Deus”, thereby confirming the authenticity of St. James Relics in Compostela. The shell represents the travel of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela, the shrine and resting place of the relic of St. James the Apostle. It was claimed that pilgrims who visit his shrine often wear mollusk or scallop shell on their hats or clothes whenever they visit the shrine. Thus in 1989, Pilgrims willonce again visit the tomb of St. James the Apostle, only this time, the youth commenced the event.
4. The Globe represents the world, fitting hence the event is World Youth Day.
5. The blue color represents water, baptism and peace.

HIGHLIGHTS

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