WYD logo

The WYD organizing committee today unveiled the official logo for the twenty-sixth World Youth Day.

The cross, of course, emphasizes the centrality and supremacy of Jesus in our lives, in the Church, and in the World Youth Day celebrations.

The crown represents the crown of our La Virgen de la Almudena, the female patron saint of Madrid (San Isidro [St.Isadore] is the male patron saint). According to legend, when the Moors controlled Spain, the Catholics hid this statue of Our Lady within a "fold of a wall" ("almudaina" in Arabic) or in a nearby storage for grain ("almudit"). When Alphonse VI reconquered Madrid, the statue was miraculously discovered, and it is now venerated in Madrid's Cathedral. Supposedly, we are Mary's crown, for the youth of the world will gather with our Holy Father to stand with Mary at the foot of the Cross.

The red M that forms the left half the of the crown is for "Madrid" and "Maria".

According to the designer, Jose Gil-Nogués, "The [logo] has a spontaneous and strong stroke, as the youth of the twenty-first century. It's close, friendly, open, cheerful, casual and positive...The use of a palette of warm colors (red, orange and yellow) transmits an unmistakable warmth and heat, identity of a city like Madrid, Spain as a country. These colors are also a reflection of the warmth of God, 'Trinity of Love.'"

Here's a video of the press conference in Spanish.