World Youth Day '08 (WYD08) will be held in Sydney from 15 July to 20 July. Tens of thousands of young & old people from throughout the world partake in this big event and as early as last week people were already arriving to participate in the activities organized for them by the WYD organizers. The pilgrims were designated to different cluster regions and different activities were arranged for them to prepare and maximize the engagement of people for WYD.
Last Saturday, my friends and I drove 60 km to central coast to check out the Broken Bay Gala at Mingara. There were about 2,000 pilgrims from across the globe. People were singing, dancing, playing and chatting with other pilgrims from another country. There was a multi-cultural show prepared for them. The pilgrims braved the winter chill camping in large industrial sheds and despite the coldness they were still enjoying and having fun.
The WYD08 will start with an opening mass tomorrow at Barangaroo from 4:30pm-630pm. Catechesis (teaching) sessions at over 250 locations across Sydney will be held the following day. The Pope is having a Papal Motorcade through Sydney CBD streets which I’m hoping to get a glimpse of Him. On Friday, there will be again Catechesis sessions and Stations of the Cross to re-enact the last moment of Jesus’ life. As early as 5:30am on Saturday, there will be a pilgrimage walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge to Randwick Racecourse and an evening vigil with the Pope follows. WYD08 will end on Sunday with a final mass to be celebrated by the Pope at 10am.
It was a good sunny afternoon
Backpack for WYD08 pilgrims
Pilgrims and locals enjoying the sun
The Stations of the Cross on Friday will start at St. Mary's Cathedral and end at Domain. The church was newly renovated for this event.
WYD08 Souvenir Shop
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