Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sydney (Agenzia Fides) - The participation of youth from Laos is a great sign of hope for the universal Church and a sign of vitality for the smaller Churches throughout the world that live in communion and are ready to offer their testimony. A youth delegation from Laos is preparing to participate in the great encounter with the youth that will take place in Sydney in July 2008. 12 young Laotian Catholics from three of the four apostolic vicariates in the country together with an accompanying Bishop, three priests and three sisters, will make up the group travelling to WYD 2008. The preparations are fully underway: the youth are already taking active participation in spiritual and pastoral formation in their local parishes and are studying English, courses on Australia, and orientation sessions on WYD.
The volunteer group has already learned the official hymn of WYD, “Receive the Power,” and are excited at the possibility of participating in this world event and being able to be with and listen to Pope Benedict XVI. During WYD, the pilgrims from Laos will offer a taste of their own culture, with performances of their traditional song and dance.
Their participation has been made possible thanks to aid from the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), that has provided the necessary funds for the participation of 100 pilgrims from Sudan, Myanmar, and other poor countries, with the goal of “support and encourage the dynamism and enthusiasm of these young people and at the same time give them every opportunity to broaden their horizons and experience the unity in diversity in our Catholic faith and in the Universal Church,” says ACN. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/4/2008 righe 22, parole 277)
