Vatican Debuts Official Logo and Prayer for WYD 2016 in Krakow

Vatican Debuts Official Logo and Prayer for WYD 2016 in Krakow

Polish Creator of Logo Inspired After John Paul II's Canonization

The Vatican has released the official logo and prayer for the 2016 World Youth Day in Krakow.

In a press conference held this morning, Krakow's metropolitan archbishop, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, presented the logo and official prayer for the 31st World Youth Day.

Designed by Monika Rybczynska, 28, from Ostrzeszow, in mid-west Poland, the logo was created after the canonization of John Paul II. In her work, three elements are combined: the place of the celebration, its main protagonists, and its theme, which is a passage from Matthew's Gospel: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”

Moreover, the image is composed of a geographical outline of Poland, in which there is a cross, a symbol of Christ, the soul of World Youth Day.

Marking the position of Krakow on the map of Poland, a yellow circle symbolizes youth.

Recalling the image “Jesus, I trust in you,” the flame of divine mercy emerges from the cross. The colors in the logo – blue, red and yellow – are the official colors of Krakow and its coat of arms.

During the press conference, the official prayer of World Youth Day 2016 was presented. The prayer, which entrusts humanity and the young to divine mercy, asks the Lord for the grace of a merciful heart, and for the intercession of Mary and St. John Paul II, patron of World Youth Day. (D.C.L.)

Here is the text of the official prayer for World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow.

“God, merciful Father, in your Son, Jesus Christ, you have revealed your love and poured it out upon us in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, We entrust to you today the destiny of the world and of every man and woman.” [1]

We entrust to you in a special way young people of every language, people and nation: guide and protect them as they walk the complex paths of the world today and give them the grace to reap abundant fruits from their experience of the Krakow World Youth Day.

Heavenly Father, grant that we may bear witness to your mercy. Teach us how to convey the faith to those in doubt, hope to those who are discouraged, love to those who feel indifferent, forgiveness to those who have done wrong and joy to those who are unhappy. Allow the spark of merciful love that you have enkindled within us become a fire that can transform hearts and renew the face of the earth. 

Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray for us. Saint John Paul II, pray for us.

---

[1] John Paul II, Homily for the Dedication of the Shrine of Divine Mercy, Krakow, 17 August 2002.