Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) – Some 1,000 young Indian Catholics accompanied by 14 bishops, 80 priests and numerous men and women religious, pastoral workers, as well as representatives of other religions in India, Hindus and Sikhs, form the Indian Catholic delegation for the celebration of the 23rd World Youth Day in Sydney 15 - 20 July 2008. This delegation, the largest the Catholic Church in India has ever sent to a WYD “is an encouraging sign of hope”, said the head of the Indian Bishops' Commission for Youth Pastoral.
The Commission and the Indian Catholic Youth Movement worked together for several months under the guidance of Commission secretary Fr. Alywn D’Souza, to prepare and organise this overseas 'pilgrimage' to Sydney: spiritual and formative preparation, logistics, travel and accommodation in Australia.
Fr. Alwyn said the 1,000 participants include 500 members proposed by the Catholic Church in India, and 500 connected with religious communities, Church Movements or associations with referents at the international level.
Like all the young WYD pilgrims, the young Indians will stay with local families in Australia and New Zealand in a mutually enriching experience of culture sharing and friendship building. The week long 'Day' of prayer, catechesis, testimony, spectacles of local song and dance, and most important, sharing of faith and growing in faith with young Christians from so many different parts of the world, will surely send young Indian Catholics home with a treasure to share with friends and acquaintances. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 26/6/2008 righe 26 parole 269)
