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Join the Pilgramage for WYD08 in SydneyWORLD YOUTH DAY SYDNEY 2008 (WYD08) We have a tour leaving Perth on Monday 7 July 2008 arriving back Saturday 26 July 2008. World Youth Day is the Catholic Church's week of events for youth and with youth. It gathers hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world to celebrate and learn about the Catholic faith and to build bridges of friendship and hope between continents, peoples and cultures. Initiated by Pope John Paul II, World Youth Day has been held every year since 1986 when the first event was held in Rome. Sydney will host the 10th international World Youth Day and XXIII WYD overall. World Youth Day will be held in Sydney, Australia from 15 - 20 July 2008. The event will mark the first visit to Australia of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Days in the Dioceses will take place in the lead-up to WYD08, from approximately 10-14 July 2008. The WYD08 theme, received from The Holy Father is: 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.' Acts 1:8 World Youth Day 2008 will also be recognised as the inaugural visit to Australia by the new pontiff, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. During the "Days in the Dioceses", (10-14th July 2008) our pilgrimage will be passing through Wilcannia and Bathurst, and there may be an opportunity to spend extra time with one of these dioceses. We could always take the bus over Mount Panorama (not quite as fast as the late Peter Brock though!). The "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. An estimated 500,000 participants are expected to attend at least one event during the World Youth Day Sydney week. We expect Sydney to receive 300,000 visitors during this time, including 125,000 from overseas. A media contingent of 3,000-5,000 is anticipated. At the last international WYD in Cologne in 2005, 1.2 million people attended the Final Mass and 7,000 media personnel covered the event. The dates of the major events are: Tuesday 15 July 08 Opening Mass, celebrated by Sydney Archbishop Cardinal George Pell followed by a concert. Wednesday 16 - Friday 18 July 08 Catechesis (teaching) sessions every morning and Youth Festival events afternoon/evening. Thursday 17 July 08 Arrival and welcome of the Holy Father. Friday 18 July 08 - evening Stations of the Cross - a re-enactment of Our Lord's Passion and Death. Saturday 19 July 08 Pilgrimage walk to site of Closing Mass, evening Vigil with the Holy Father and sleep out "under the stars". Sunday 20 July 08 Closing Mass and concluding events.
Randwick Racecourse in Sydney's eastern suburbs has been selected as the site of the all-night Vigil and Final Mass to be celebrated by His Holiness. This site has been the location of three Papal Masses previously but is being extended to accommodate the largest ever crowd at a single event in Australian history. Up to 300,000 people can sleep out under the stars after the Evening Vigil at Randwick Racecourse. Up to 400,000 people can be seated for the Final Mass with a direct line of sight to the altar. Centennial Park allows capacity to be boosted by another 200,000. Several large video screens will be set up to enable them to take part in the Mass. The key impact events are expected to be the highly celebrated arrival of the Pope on the afternoon of Thursday 17 July, the Stations of the Cross in the evening of Friday 19 July, the Pilgrimage to Randwick Racecourse on Saturday 19 July and of course the Final Mass on Sunday 20 July. 20 Special Days of one of the great World Youth Christian Events, incorporating some of the great Australian sights to and from Sydney. Tour Inclusions:
For a detailed itinerary of WYD08 click here. To register click here (it will open in a new window to the) WYD08 Home Registration page.
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