Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sydney (Agenzia Fides) - Countless numbers of youth groups from Latin America are already in Sydney for World Youth Day.
The official pilgrimage of youth from Uruguay left the country on July 9, with a total of 60 young people, 11 of whom are members of the official Bishops’ Committee for Youth Ministry. This group was composed of one representative from the Dioceses of Mercedes, Melo, Tacuarembó, Salto, Canelones, and Maldonado; and 2 young people from the Archdiocese of Montevideo. They will accompanied on their travels by the President of the Bishops’ National Committee for Youth Ministry, Bishop Heriberto Bodeant (Auxiliary of Salto), Salesian Father Tomas Tadeo, and Father Renzo Siri of the Diocese of Canelones. Also among the participants are 35 members of the Neocatechumenal Way, 10 youth from the Montevideo Residence of Opus Dei, 6 members of the Carmelite Parish “San Jose de la Montaña” (Montevideo), and one young person from the Christian Brothers’ school in Montevideo. The participants in this official pilgrimage will be hosted by Uruguayan residents living in Sydney. The youth have already had several preparatory meetings for the great event in Sydney.
The youth group from Argentina, a total of about 400 people dispersed into several groups, arrived in New Zealand on July 11. They flew to Auckland, the most populous of New Zealand’s cities, where public authorities and the Bishop of Auckland held a public event of reception in the city’s downtown area, for all the foreign youth, at 10am. In this “public reception” in the Beaumont Center, the Argentinean groups already present gathered with the following groups from: the Cottolengo Don Orione, the Catholic University of Argentina, a group from La Plata, another from the province of Chaco, etc. There were also youth groups from Uruguay, France, Canada, United States, India, Philippines, and New Zealand itself. The ceremony was presided by the highest-ranking public authorities in the city, who welcomed the youth, and by Bishop Patrick James Dunn of Auckland, who gave a moving opening address, greeting the youth and offering them a warm reception.
In the afternoon, the delegation joined other youth groups for a Mass in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, presided by Bishop Dunn and concelebrated by 20 priests from various different countries. The youth are being hosted by “kiwi” families (Note: the “kiwi” is a bird that cannot fly that is only found on these islands and it is also a term used by the people of New Zealand in reference to themselves), which will offer them a wonderful opportunity to learn about the customs of the various other countries.
From Chile, there are about 500 young people who have come out for the event from various dioceses. The first group left on July 1 from Puerto Varas. On July 3, 50 pilgrims from Arauco and other parts of the country left. On July 5, 140 pilgrims left, among whom are youth travelling to Sydney thanks to sponsorships. The official delegation left on July 9, with chauffeur Father Galo Fernandez and on July 12, they were joined by Bishop Cristian Contreras, Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference.
According to a report from the Chilean Bishops’ Conference, the Chilean immigrants living in Melbourne (Australia) will host the youth who have traveled to the country. “Everyone wanted to participate, the Chileans as well as other brothers from other Spanish-speaking nations. They have opened their hearts and homes to us, to allow additional children in their family,” said Lucia Correa, a Chilean resident who has lived in Melbourne since 1972 and who is heading up the logistics for the lodging and distribution of pilgrims from Chile. The Chilean youth have a statue of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Patroness of Chile, that they have brought as a gift to their compatriots in Australia. The pilgrims were presented with the image in a Mass on June 29, in the Church of Maipu. The image will be presented to those in Australia on July 16, in All Saints Parish in Liverpool, in a Mass organized by the local Chilean community. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 15/7/2008)
