Diocesan WYD Cross

The World Youth Day is accompanied and represented by two symbols: the pilgirm cross and the icon of Our Lady Salus Populi Romani. They are set out on a pilgimage to proclaim the Gospel and to accompany young people and their realitites in a paricualarly speical manner. 

The Diocese of Amarillo started their own Diocesan WYD Cross that was blessed on April 18, 2009 by Bishop Patrick Zurek. The Cross will travel around the Diocese hosted by the Diocese of Amarillo parishes until June 2027 when the Diocesan Delegation for WYD travels to Seoul, South Korea for WYD.

It was, in fact, April 22, 1984, when at the end of the Holy Year of Redemption, the beloved John Paul II entrusted to the youth of the world the great cross of wood, which by his own desire was kept at the high altar of St. Peter's Basilica during the special Jubilee Year. When Pope John Paul II gave the cross to the youth, he told them to bring the cross to the world "as a sign of the love of the Lord Jesus for humanity, and to announce to all that there is salvation and redemption only in Christ who died and is risen."
The cross was accepted in the international youth center of San Lorenzo, and from there began to travel to the continents, opening the hearts of many young men and women to Christ the Redeemer.
Benedict XVI repeated this gesture, once again giving the cross to youth representatives, telling them: "Dear friends, I entrust this cross to you again! ”Continue to carry it to every corner of the earth, so that the next generation may also discover the Mercy of God and have the hope in Christ crucified and risen renewed in their hearts!"

The Diocesan WYD Cross and Icon will be taken to St. Mary's Cathedral on June 14, 2026 at the 12:00 p.m.. Mass. Pilgrims are invited to be part of the Liturgy procession. The Diocesan WYD Cross and Icon will usually move on the first Sunday of each month to other host parishes.