Pilgrimage of Joy
I went to Sydney on July13 2008 as part of the JY India delegation of over 100 people to attend WYD 2008 & 3rd international gathering of Jesus Youth in Sydney.
World Youth Day is a youth-oriented Roman Catholic Church event. While the event itself celebrates the Catholic faith, invitation to attend is non-denominational.[1] World Youth Day is not associated with International Youth Day or any of the international observance days.
World Youth Day (or in short 'WYD') was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1985. He took the occasion of the United Nations' International Youth Year (1985)to launch one of the signature initiatives of his pontificate-the World Youth Days that would draw millions of young people on pilgrimage to Europe, Latin America, North America, Asia, and OceaniaIt is celebrated on a diocesan level annually on palm sunday, and at a week-long international level every two to three years at different locations. The international level events attract hundreds of thousands of youth from almost every country on the planet. The WYD in 1995 in Manila,Philipines holds the world record of largest papal gathering ever held with an attendance of 40lakh youth from around the globe!
World Youth Day 2008
The Archdiocese of Sydney was chosen as the host of the 2008 World Youth Day celebrations. The occasion will mark only the fourth Papal visit to the country - Pope Paul VI, twice by Pope John Paul II and now Pope Benedict XVI. At the time it was announced in 2005, WYD 2008 was commended by then Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, and the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell.[5] World Youth Day 2008 was held in Sydney, with the Papal Mass held on the Sunday at Randwick Racecourse.
The week saw pilgrims from all continents participate in the Days in the Diocese program hosted by Catholic dioceses throughout Australia and New Zealand. The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI arrived into Sydney on Sunday 13 July 2008 at Richmond Air Force Base. Cardinal George Pell celebrated the Opening Mass at Barrangaroo (East Darling Harbour) with other activities including the re-enactment of Christ's passion during the Stations of the Cross and the Holy Father's boat cruise through Sydney Harbour. Pilgrims participated in a variety of youth festivities including visits to St Mary's Cathedral, daily Catechesis and Mass led by Bishops from all around the world, concerts, visits to the tomb of Blessed Mary MacKillop, the Vocations Expo at Darling Harbour, received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and prayed before the Blessed Sacrament during Adoration.
The event attracted 250,000 foreign visiting pilgrims to Sydney with an estimated 400,000 pilgrims attending Holy Mass celebrated by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday 20 July 2008. This is the largest single gathering of human beings at the one place in Australia's history.
Jesus Youth Delegation for WYD
Jesus Youth being an international Catholic youth movement also make its mark on WYD by arranging JY delegation from different countries and also through the active participation of Rex Band, its own music Band in WYD concerts. The International gathering of Jesus Youth [currently present in 24 countries] is organized right after the WYD in which the international team of JY is reconstituted. Check out www.jesusyouth.org
During the pilgrimage I got chance to visit Opera house, Sydney Harbour bridge, St.Marys Cathedral & Taronga Zoo in Sydney. In Adelaide[on a visit to my uncle’s home] i visited a beach, hill & also drove by the side of Adelaide cricket stadium(this is for the cricket fans).
During the 2 weeks, I travelled by car, bus, train, ferry, tram, domestic flight in Sydney & Adelaide. Overall it has been an exhilarating journey, a wonderful experience!
Foot Note
- WYD 2011 is in Madrid,Spain from Aug15-21.
- Read more in ipaper of JY international newsletter Sept08 edition: http://www.scribd.com/doc/6124132/Jesus-Youth-International-News-letter-August-2008
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