The largest youth event in the world - World Youth Day 08 - is almost upon us, all of us.
While Sydney might be bearing the impact of the actual week of events, the rest of Australia will not be let off, as pilgrims from around the world descend on all parts of the nation for Days in the Diocese, "a cultural exchange in the context of faith".
According to the official
WYD08 website,
Days in the Dioceses is an "excellent opportunity for the youth of the world to join local communities in prayer and celebration, to experience Australia beyond Sydney, to help renew the Church in the places they visit, as well as to receive Australian hospitality". This part of the programme will be held from July 10-14 throughout Australia, with the Church in New Zealand helping out, too.
When the pilgrims do arrive in Sydney, the major activities will be
the
opening Mass,
Tuesday, July 15, at 4.30pm, at Barangaroo (East Darling Harbour)
The formal opening of WYD08, it will include the arrival of the WYD Cross, Icon and Message Stick
(pictured) following its inspiring and renewing journey around Australia. The Mass will be presided over by Cardinal George Pell and the bishops of the world. It will be followed by youth festival events around the city, concluding about 10pm. catechesis, for registered pilgrims, from Wednesday 16 to Friday 18, 9am- noon or 10am-1pm.
catechesis is sharing and learning about faith and life
It begins with prayer and song before moving into teaching, questions and discussions. It concludes with the celebration of the Eucharist and lunch.
a
youth festival, in the afternoons and evenings between 2 - 10pm (outside of major event times) at venues across Sydney from Tuesday, July 15 to Friday 18.
It will feature music, performing arts, visual art exhibitions, debate, film, community gatherings, street performers, workshops and a Vocations Expo. Major sites include St Mary's Cathedral and forecourt, The Domain, Sydney Opera House forecourt, Darling Harbour and Barangaroo. On Saturday and Sunday, Randwick Racecourse will also host events.
the
Vocations Expo will operate daily from Tuesday, July 15 until Friday 18
At the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
The Pope, on Sydney 2000 accompanied by a 13-vessel 'boat-a-cade', with cross the Sydney Harbour before disembarking at Barangaroo where he will address a crowd of more than 100,000 pilgrims. He will travel in the 'Pope mobile' through the streets of Sydney. The festivities will include a civic reception, a welcome to land from local indigenous leaders, and a colourful reception with flags from all over the world.
A live theatrical and devotional event which will transform the city into an outdoor cathedral; across a number of venues, including St Mary's Cathedral, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Domain.
pilgrimage walk, Saturday, July 19, from 5.30am
Across the Sydney Harbour bridge and through the city to the Southern Cross Precinct.
After the pilgrimage walk registered pilgrims will take part in a joyful event of music and song, a ceremony of candlelight, testimonies, homily by the Pope, prayer and a time of Eucharistic adoration. The vigil will continue well into the night with quiet, prayerful reflection and adoration. Pilgrims then sleep out under the stars at Randwick Racecourse, in preparation for the final Mass on Sunday, July 20.
WORLD YOUTH DAY!!!
the
final Mass, Sunday, July 20, 10am, the Southern Cross Precinct
The Pope will preside and preach at this high point for what promises to be the largest gathering of people in the history of Australia. English and a little Latin will be used in the Mass setting. The Papal motorcade will move from Centennial Park at 9am. The announcement of next host city will be made at 12.15pm. Following the Mass (12.30-5pm) the youth festival will continue at both Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park.
photo credits: the message stick, WYD08, Darling Harbour, NSW Tourism, used with permission
Barangaroo (22-hectare harbourfront site on the CBD's western edge) will become a mini-city housing two main stages, 45 pilgrim areas, 1200 toilets, 25 catering outlets, 25 lighting towers, six large screens, a 300-seat media tribune with seven translation booths, VIP areas, merchandise facilities and a special needs area.
It will host:
opening Mass with Cardinal George Pell on Tuesday, July 15
the Arrival and Welcome of Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday, July 17
final six Stations of the Cross on Friday, July 18
many Youth Festival performances on the two main stages
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