It’s already 7 days since our return from WYD08 …. and I miss it. To say it was an amazing week in Sydney is an understatement. I felt part of one huge family as I walked around Sydney from one event to another. One of the beautiful things about WYD was seeing so many nationalities come together – all different in language and customs, but all one in faith because the Holy Spirit speaks one language. So we were all one heart in the Lord. Magnificent sights wherever we walked – a sea of people and flags, smiles and friendliness.
This week has been a time of recovery from sore feet and aching legs but more importantly it’s also been a time for reflection … although I believe the sharing of WYD experiences will be an ongoing thing, along with thoughts of the next international World Youth Day which will be held in Madrid in 2011.
The theme of WYD Sydney 2008 was -
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses”
As one pilgrim pointed out yesterday to a group of us gathering together – ‘WYD week may be over but we have only completed one part of WYD08 … and now we must continue on with second part’ He was referring to “… and you will be my witnesses”
It’s now time for all pilgrims who are returning home to be witnesses for Christ. They will carry the blessings of WYD to their families & communities. There will be many stories to share, friendships formed, and hearts touched. Now it’s time to spread the Lord’s peace, His love and His word to all we meet.
It has been a special time filled with love & a true sense of family in the Lord. So now, World Youth Day lives on in the hearts & lives of all who came and each will go forth bearing witness for the Lord ….. and preparing for WYD Madrid 2011.
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There have been three Papal visits to Australia
• 1970: Pope Paul VI
Event held in Randwick Racecourse
• 1986: Pope John Paul II
Event held in Randwick Racecourse, attracting 250,000 people
• 1995: Pope John Paul II
Event held in Randwick Racecourse. Mary MacKillop is beatified.
World Youth Day Sydney 2008 Fact Sheet
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• Australia has approximately 5.12 million Catholics in 1,363
parishes. This is approximately 26% of the population
• Australia has 28 territorial Dioceses, four Dioceses of Eastern
Catholic Churches and one military Diocese
• There are around 1.5 million Catholics in the four dioceses across
the greater Sydney region
• The Archdiocese of Sydney has almost 600,000 Catholics in some
141 parishes with 480 priests
World Youth Day Sydney 2008 Fact Sheet
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Journey of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon of Our Lady
(JCI)
1 July 2007 – 15 July 2008
The World Youth Day Cross and Icon are the travelling
symbols of World Youth Day. Pope John Paul II gave the
Cross as a gift to the youth of the world in 1984 to be carried
across continents as a symbol of Christ’s love for humanity
Since 2003, the Cross has been accompanied by the Icon of
Our Lady, a copy of the painting Salus Populi Romani
(Protectress of the Roman People), a gift from Pope John
Paul II to the youth of the world.
Considered the ‘Olympic Torch’ of World Youth Day, the
Cross and Icon arrived in Australia on 1 July 2007 and are
currently travelling through every diocese in the country.
An indigenous Message Stick is accompanying the Cross and
Icon throughout its Australian journey. The Message Stick is
an invitation from the indigenous people of Sydney to the
indigenous youth of Australia to attend WYD08.
The Cross, Icon and Message Stick will journey across
Australia for 12 months, visiting some 400 communities.
Key JCI statistics: 1 July 2007– 20 May 2008
• 2 JCI Travelling Teams
• 325 days
• 29 dioceses (including the Military Diocese and Maronite Diocese)
• 30 Communities and movements
• c. 65 000kms (including flights)
• c. 2300 events
• 280 – 380,000 people directly present to Cross & Icon
15 Day Walk 1 – 15 July
The Cross and Icon return to Sydney on 1 July for a 15 Day
Walk through the suburbs of Sydney.
This event will be similar to the Olympic Torch Relay and
will culminate in the official walk-in at the Opening Mass
Days in the Dioceses 10 – 14 July
Days in the Dioceses is an opportunity for dioceses across
Australia and New Zealand to host visiting groups of pilgrims
in the days preceding WYD08. It is a cultural exchange in the
context of faith, and will bring WYD08 to every corner of
Australia and New Zealand.
The Archdiocese of Melbourne, for example, is planning to
attract 25,000 overseas pilgrims for its Days in the Dioceses
events. It also has its own volunteer and billeting program.
Days in the Dioceses will also have the practical benefit of
easing international pilgrim entry into Sydney, by allowing for
staggered access via road and rail.
World Youth Day Sydney 2008 Fact Sheet
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Ten inspirational saints and blesseds have been named the official patrons
for WYD08.
A tradition of each World Youth Day, the 10 patrons have been chosen by the
organisers and approved by the Vatican. An Australian artist, Richard de
Stoop was commissioned to recreate their images.
• Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Help of Christians
• Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901 – 1925)
• Blessed Mary MacKillop (1842 – 1909)
• Saint Peter Chanel (1803 – 1841)
• Blessed Peter To Rot (1912 – 1945)
• Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910 – 1997)
• Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873 – 1897)
• Saint Maria Goretti (1890 – 1902)
• Saint Faustina Kowalska (1905 – 1938)
• Servant of God, John Paul II (1920 – 2005
World Youth Day Sydney 2008 Fact Sheet
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• Up to 225,000 registered pilgrims are expected to take part in WYD08
events each day, including 125,000 international visitors.
• 100,000 Australian pilgrims are expected, including 40,000 from
greater Sydney
• An estimated 8,000 volunteers will assist
• An estimated 2,000 clergy will be present
• An estimated 500 Cardinals and Bishops will be present
• Around 3,000 media are expected to cover the event
• 3.5 million meals will be served to pilgrims
• 100,000 will sleep in 700 schools and parishes
• Up to 40,000 will be billeted as part of the HomeStay program
• Approximately 20,000 will stay in paid accommodation such as
hostels, boarding houses, hotels and backpacker accommodation. The
remainder will make their own arrangements.
• Up to 500,000 people are expected to attend the Final Mass at
Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park (which is open to all)
• Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park will be united in name as
the “Southern Cross Precinct” for the Vigil and Final Mass.
• 4000 toilets for Southern Cross Precinct (Randwick Racecourse and
Centennial Park)
• 35 large video screens for Southern Cross Precinct
• 60 lighting towers for Southern Cross Precinct
• The four official WYD08 languages are: English, French, Italian and
Spanish
• Door-drops to half a million Sydney homes, inviting them to volunteer,
become a HomeStay host or attend events during the WYD08 week
• WYD08 will be the most technological event ever, with the Pope to
send text messages to all registered pilgrims and digital Prayer Walls
available as well
• 100 actors taking part in the Stations of the Cross performance
• 500 chasubles for the Bishops and Cardinals made
• 2000 stoles for the priests
• 1 million communion hosts to be made
• 120 bottles of wine (total) for the Opening Mass and Final Mass
World Youth Day Sydney 2008 Fact Sheet
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World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08) will be held from Tuesday 15
to Sunday 20 July
• Sydney was announced as the host city for the 23rd World Youth Day
at the conclusion of the last international World Youth Day in Cologne,
Germany in August 2005
• WYD08 will be the largest event Australia has hosted. It will attract
over 125,000 international visitors – more than the 2000 Olympics
• WYD08 will mark the first visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to
Australia
• The Archdiocese of Sydney has established the World Youth Day Trust
to prepare for WYD08.
• The event has the strong support of the NSW and Australian
governments.
• The NSW Government has created a special agency – the World Youth
Day Coordination Authority (WYDCA) – to plan and manage the
services it will provide for the event.
• The NSW Government is responsible for providing public transport,
policing, emergency healthcare and venues
• The Australian Government is responsible for Papal security and
immigration
• WYD08 events will take place in venues across Sydney. The majority
of pilgrims will sleep at over 700 venues (classrooms and community
halls) in greater Sydney and receive morning Catechesis (or teaching)
at 300 venues near their accommodation.
• After lunch, pilgrims will make their way into the city for the major
WYD08 events and Youth Festival activities. Sydney CBD venues
include Barangaroo (East Darling Harbour), Hyde Park, The Domain,
Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour and Circular Quay.
World Youth Day Sydney 2008 Fact Sheet
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World Youth Day has been held in the following host cities:
1987 11-12 April – Buenos Aires ARGENTINA
Theme: “We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves” (1Jn 4:16)
1989 15-20 August Santiago de Compostela SPAIN
Theme: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (Jn 14:6)
1991 10-15 August Czestochowa POLAND — 1.6 million
Theme: “You have received a spirit of sonship” (Rom 8:15)
1993 10-15 August Denver USA — 500,000
Theme: “I came that they might have life, and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10)
1995 10-15 January Manila PHILIPPINES — 4 million
Theme: “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you” (Jn 20: 21)
1997 19-24 August Paris FRANCE — 1.2 million
Theme: “Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see” (cf. Jn 1:38-39)
2000 15-20 August Rome Jubilee Year ITALY — 2 million
Theme: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14)
2002 23-28 July Toronto CANADA — 800,000
Theme: “You are the salt of the earth … you are the light of the world” (Mt 5: 13,14)
2005 16-21 August Cologne GERMANY — 1.2 million
Theme: “We have come to worship Him” (Mt 2,2)
2008 15-20 July Sydney AUSTRALIA Expecting 500,000
Theme: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1,
The last WYD in Cologne featured:
- 435,000 registered pilgrims from 197 nations
- 23,000 volunteers from 120 nations
- 8,000 accredited media
- 800 Cardinals and Bishops
World Youth Day Sydney 2008 Fact Sheet
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