Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sydney (Agenzia Fides) - World Youth Day is not a rally or merely an intercultural meeting, or an opportunity to make new friendships, it is primarily a time for conversion, to encounter God and to share the Good News with others. So preparation for the event must be spiritual not so much a question of organisation and logistics. Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, said this in an address to young Australians and young people in many other countries preparing to take part in the 23rd World Youth Day in Sydney 15 to 20 July 2008.
The Cardinal said the potential difficulties of accommodating some 500,000 young people should not lead to anxiety, but instead whole event should be organised with faith in divine Providence and the awareness that the Lord opens hearts and doors. “The most important challenge is spiritual preparation”, reflection, reception of the Sacraments, the Cardinal underlined, recalling that recent surveys "registered a drop of faith and that growing numbers of young Australians think you can live just as well without God: the faith and religious practice is being eroded”. Young Christians are called to witness with a life in which Love of God is central.
“One of the blessings we will receive from World Youth Day - said Cardinal Pell - is that it will give us the one true God, remind us of the teaching of Christ, the only Son of God, and it will bring spiritual values onto the public scene”.
While the cross country pilgrimage of the WYD symbols, the Cross and the Icon of Our Lady, continues, groups and young individuals from all over the world continue to register for the event. WYD coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher, Auxiliary of Sydney also said that spiritual preparation is more important than material organisation and that WYD Day in Australia will be a wonderful opportunity for young Christians all over Oceania to increase their awareness of the transcendent dimension of life and to savour the joy of encountering God and sharing faith in Him. The Bishop said the event will also be “a great opportunity for new evangelisation”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 3/10/2007 righe 27 parole 279)
