World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia: Daily Coverage
World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia has finally begun. Visit franciscans.org daily for World Youth Day updates.
Sydney World Youth Day Blog
To get a pilgrim's perspective of what it feels like to be at World Youth Day in Sydney, visit the Salt and Light TV blog.
Pope Benedict's World Youth Day Message
Our link to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI's video message to the world's young people will allow viewer's to appreciate the physical and spiritual preparation that led up to the World Youth Day events currently happening in Sydney.
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
Sydney World Youth Day Updates
July 20, 2008 (Sydney time)
World Youth Day Final Mass
After flying over Southern Cross Precinct and then going through it in a motorcade, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Final Mass in the precinct with a flock of 350,000 faithful. His homily focused on opening oneself to Christ's gifts, which was a direct reference to the World Youth Day theme of
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you” (Acts 1:8).
After praying the Angelus at Final Mass, Pope Benedict XVI officially announced to the audience of 350,000 that the next World Youth Day will take place in Madrid, Spain in 2011. Although this piece of information had been widely circulated, the Spanish pilgrims at Final Mass cheered in jubilation.
Delighted Spanish pilgrims
July 19, 2008 (Sydney time)
Evening vigil with Pope Benedict XVI
This evening, pilgrims gathered at Southern Cross Precinct for a vigil with Pope Benedict XVI. The event started at 7 pm and lasted 2 hours during which pilgrims sang and prayed. The pope delivered a homily on bearing witness to Christ and unity in the Church and along with the pilgrims participated in Eucharistic Adoration. A moving candlelight ceremony concluded the vigil.
Many pilgrims moved to Randwick Racecourse for a night under the heavens after having attended the evening vigil with Pope Benedict. They wanted to be ready for his Final Mass the next day.
St. Mary's Cathedral
Earlier in the day today, Pope Benedict met with young religious and dedicated a new altar at St. Mary's Cathedral. The Holy Father is very supportive of their efforts to spread the Word of God. In his homily, he remarked about how the Church in Australia started off as a small flock and then flourished.
July 18, 2008 (Sydney time)
Franciscans the world over were delighted by Pope Benedict XVI's speech on environmentalism yesterday. His Holiness, reiterating Franciscan beliefs, reminded his audience that we are the stewards of our planet. Franciscans have long taken the approach that the planet does not belong to the people of the moment. We share the planet with other species and future generations and cannot let them down by neglecting our responsibilities.
Several hundred thousand people gathered throughout Sydney
to see Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict also pointed out how the beauty of our planet is a reflection of God. It is only natural then that we should treat this reflection with reverence and care.
With time at World Youth Day moving quickly, pilgrims filled with the pope's message to care for the environment attended more catechesis sessions on Friday. These are more intimate events where pilgrims can explore their faith with members of the clergy.
The Stations of the Cross reenactment in Sydney
Friday's larger event was the reenactment of the Stations of the Cross at various sites in Sydney. Salt and Light TV's
Mary Rose Bacani attended the reenactment and blogs about how it brought her closer to Christ.
July 17, 2008 (Sydney time)
Today was a momentous day at World Youth Day 2008. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Sydney to an Australian indigenous welcome ceremony and a promenade of the world's many flags. He also rode through Sydney Harbour on the Sydney 2000 to greet the tens of thousands of spectators on land who had gathered to welcome him.
Barangaroo East Darling Harbour
At Barangaroo East Darling Harbour, the Pope addressed a crowd of 150,000 about how we - humanity - must take care of creation. The world is such a beautiful place and yet we are destroying her many precious resources.
The Tomb of Blessed Mary MacKillop
The rest of Thursday the Pope spent amongst other activities praying at the tomb of Blessed
Mary MacKillop and meeting with Australian officials. He praised Prime Minster Kevin Rudd's apology to the Australian indigenous people for the suffering they have endured.
July 16, 2008 (Sydney time)
St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, Australia
After what turned out to be the biggest youth Mass in Australian history, Tuesday was a quieter day for the pilgrims attending World Youth Day in Sydney. Pilgrims gathered at various sites around the city for catechesis and in the afternoon walked to St. Mary's Cathedral. In the Salt and Light TV blog,
Marilena Berardinelli speaks about praying in front of the remains of Blessed
Pier Giorgio Frassati, which are located at St. Mary's and about her devotion to the saints.
Tuesday was also a day to reflect on the message that the Opening Mass celebrant, Cardinal George Pell, conveyed to the pilgrims. He told them to stay committed to their faith and to keep it strong. "Only commitments bring fulfillment," Cardinal Pell reminded the young people listening to him.
Joyous pilgrims at World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia
On another note, Sydneysider, Fiona Connolly, reports on the carefree joy the thousands of World Youth Day pilgrims from around the world have brought to Sydney.
July 15, 2008 (Sydney time)
Cardinal George Pell celebrating World Youth Day Opening Mass
at Sydney's Barangaroo East Darling Harbour
Cardinal George Pell celebrated the World Youth Day Opening Mass today at Sydney's Barangaroo East Darling Harbour along with every bishop in the world. Excitement at the Mass grew when the World Youth Day Cross and Icon entered the harbour grounds.
Salt and Light TV's daily update for July 14, 2008 (which is the next day in Sydney) features footage of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon arriving at the Opening Mass.
The World Youth Day Cross makes its way through Sydney
In the video below, viewers can learn about the significance of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon:
