OCEANIA/SAMOA ISLANDS - Samoan youth preparing for WYD in Sydney

Tuesday, 24 June 2008

Apia (Agenzia Fides) – The youth on the Samoan Islands are preparing with great enthusiasm to participate in World Youth Day 2008, supported and encouraged by the entire local Church. For many of them, this will be their only opportunity to live such a vivid experience of the universality of the Church. That is why WYD organizers, thanks to the solidarity campaigns being carried out by youth in wealthier countries, have tried to make sure that the Church in Oceania, especially its most remote and isolated parts, can have the opportunity of participating in one of the largest faith celebrations in the history of the southern hemisphere.
WYD will be “a great privilege for us, an unique experience for our community, that in July will travel to Sydney for the encounter with the Holy Father. WYD will be the occasion of a new Pentecost,” the youth of Samoa said. These youth are from a community of nearly 50,000 Catholics, active in parishes, schools, pastoral centers, etc. – a sign of a living and active Church. The youth are characterized by a great faith and a profound love for the Church is seen in the fact that every morning, in the Cathedral of Apia, the 6am Mass is packed with people.
The Samoan youth are working hard to cover the cost of their pilgrimage to Sydney. They have spent the last two years doing all kinds of activities: from garbage-collecting to selling coconuts, as well as organizing small fairs and shows.
Among those carrying out a service of support and encouragement of the youth on their path to Christian and human maturity are the Salesians, on the island of Savaii. The Salesians have been in Samoa for nearly 27 years, founding a community on the large island of Savaii, carrying out an important and highly appreciated pastoral and educational service and taking active participation in the formation of Samoa’s catechists. They now form a part of the heart and soul of the Church’s pastoral presence in these small villages, working closely with the parish pastors.
The catechists are entrusted with the leadership of the youth groups that are enthusiastically preparing to participate in WYD with zeal, faith, and hope. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/6/2008)


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