Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sydney (Agenzia Fides) – A lively group of 48 Polynesian youth have arrived on pilgrimage to World Youth Day from the small island of Wallis, of the Islands of Wallis and Futuna, located in the South Pacific, between Fiji and Samoa.
It is a thrilling adventure for the group of youth that, according to a report sent to Agenzia Fides by the local Church, have a special gift for song and music. In fact, they will participate in and perform at the “Catholic Mission Village,” an initiative of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Australia that will try to encourage youth to participate directly in missionary projects.
The youth of Wallis have had a dream come true with their attendance of WYD, thanks to a sponsorship program established with Australian youth who had gone to Wallis last year to share an experience of prayer, retreat, and activities with the local youth. Now, the youth of Wallis are being hosted by the Australian youth in Brisbane and are being given the once in a lifetime opportunity of living a WYD. They can also place their musical talents and Polynesian culture at the service of the mission ad gentes.
The Islands of Wallis and Futuna are a territory that is mainly comprised of three volcanic tropical islands (Wallis, Futuna, and Alofi) with coral reefs that are found in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean. The entire population of the area is about 15,000 inhabitants, the majority of whom are of Polynesian ethnic descent, living in an area of about 274 sq. km. The immense majority of the population are professed Catholics. The culture in these islands is mainly Polynesian. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/7/2008)
