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While World Youth Day is often known for its large international gatherings held every three years, St. John Paul II began the first World Youth Day on Palm Sunday in 1984.
At first glance, it can seem like a strange day to host a youth celebration, but the Polish pontiff did so based on a verse from the liturgy.
He explains his reasoning in his homily for Palm Sunday in 1997.
John Paul II quotes from the liturgy of Palm Sunday, which proscribes an ancient antiphon to be sung while the priest and the people process into the church with palm branches.
The current Roman Missal translates the antiphon as follows:
While this passage is generally meant to refer to all people, not just youth, St. John Paul II took the opportunity to showcase the young people and their connection to the cross of Jesus Christ.
John Paul II continued his meditation on this passage from the liturgy, calling the first Palm Sunday the first World Youth Day.
Ever since that first World Youth Day, the Church continues to look to young people on Palm Sunday and encourages them to take up the cross of Jesus Christ and to follow him.
