English-Language Site at World Youth Day to Offer Robust Speaking & Musical Program

Love and Life Centre in Central Madrid will feature internationally acclaimed religious figures, speakers, and singers from around the world. The site will be open Tuesday, Aug. 16, from 2 p.m. to midnight; Wednesday, Aug. 17 and Friday Aug. 19 from 9 a.m. to midnight. The site will be open Thursday, Aug. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In general, the site will feature catechesis in the morning, a speaking program in the afternoon, and prayer and music in the evenings.

MADRID, SPAIN (Knights of Columbus Communications Dept.) - The Love and Life Centre: A Home for English-speaking Pilgrims released its schedule of events to be held during World Youth Day in Madrid. The schedule includes a variety of programs and speakers designed to appeal to pilgrims of all ages and can be accessed at wydenglishsite.org.

The site will be open Tuesday, Aug. 16, from 2 p.m. to midnight; Wednesday, Aug. 17 and Friday Aug. 19 from 9 a.m. to midnight. The site will be open Thursday, Aug. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In general, the site will feature catechesis in the morning, a speaking program in the afternoon, and prayer and music in the evenings.

Those speaking at the site include Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap., Archbishop-designate of Philadelphia, Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Father Antonio Lopez, F.S.C.B., Dean of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Washington, D.C.; Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, Superior General of the Sisters of Life; Father Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., CEO of Salt and Light Television in Canada; Father John Phalen, C.S.C., President of Holy Cross Family Ministries; Prof. Helen Alvaré; Vicki Thorn, founder of Project Rachel; and many others.

Also scheduled to appear are: Hollywood actors Matt Marsden (Transformers, Black Hawk Down), and Clarence Gilyard (Walker, Texas Ranger); Curtis Martin, President of the Fellowship for Catholic University Students (FOCUS); speaker and author Chris Stefanick; renowned theology of the body speakers and authors Jason and Crystalina Evert; and Father Jose Granados, Assistant Professor of Patrology and Systematic Theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute.

Musical Performers will include Latin Grammy winner Alexander Acha, Eurovision winner Dana Scallon, "Best Local Band" in Washington D.C. winner (2009), Scythian; as well as Cajun performers L'Angelus, and a traditional Spanish concert performed by a group of Spanish folk musicians titled Suspiros de Espańa.

One of the Centre's most anticipated events will be held on Wednesday at 9 p.m. MarianFest, a celebration of the Blessed Mother, will feature award winning singers Alexander Acha and Dana Scallon; Msgr. Eduardo Chavez, Postulator for the Cause for Canonization of St. Juan Diego; as well as American recording artist Danielle Rose; Spanish recording artist Luis Alfredo Diaz; and the Mexican singing group Adoremus Knight.

The schedule is designed to allow pilgrims to attend all official World Youth Day events, including catechesis, the Opening Mass, the Welcoming of the Holy Father, the Via Crucis, and the vigil at Cuatro Vientos.

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The Love and Life Centre will be located in the Palacio de Deportes, Madrid's premier 11,000 seat concert and sports arena, conveniently located in the heart of the city.

To learn more and to see the schedules, visit www.wydenglishsite.org.