Abstract

World Youth Day that will take place in Krakow in 2016 offers all of us challenges and opportunities. Opportunities for a spiritual awakening of the Church in Poland and a pastoral challenge that should unify everyone: bishops, priests, catechists, parishes, evangelical
and prayer communities throughout Poland and the world, and of course, young people. The World Youth Day is not a simple event, but rather an action of authentic and living faith. It began in 1984 by Saint Pope John Paul II when he presented to young people
a challenge: a pilgrimage across cities and continents. And in joining that pilgrimage, young people, not only change themselves, but also contribute to a spiritual renewal in their local churches throughout the world. The core message of spiritual preparation for the WYD
in Poland is the Beatitudes – the Eight Blessings – that Pope Francis proposed for us to reflect upon. The World Youth Day in 2016, and the preceding period of preparation, will be a huge spiritual retreat for all Poland. The expected fruit of this international encounter will be a new dynamism for Evangelisation.