OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - The Pope chooses theme for World Youth Day 2008 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses" received with full approval by Catholics in Australia

Thursday, 12 January 2006

Sydney (Fides Service) - “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8) is the theme the Pope Benedict XVI has chosen for the 23rd World Youth Day to be held 15 - 20 July 2008 in Sydney, Australia.
Welcoming the theme with full approval, Australia’s Catholics are accelerating preparations for the great event which will bring young Christians from all over the world to the ‘Newest’ of the continents. The news was released by the Pontifical Council for the Laity together with the themes for the WYD in the next two years which will be local diocesan celebrations: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” 2006; “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” 2007.
The authorities of New South Wales and the archdiocese of Sydney have put into action a powerful organisation machine similar to the one used to prepare the Olympic Games in 2000. WDY 2008, from 15 to 20 July, is expected to bring about 250,000 visitors to Sydney every day, from all over the country and many from abroad. The organisers say although WYD is a religious event it will be a great opportunity for Australia to promote tourism with consequent economic benefits for the country.
The opening WYD Mass in Telstra Stadium 15 July 2008 is expected to draw between 100,000 and 150,000 young pilgrims. For the arrival of the Pope on 17 July the organisers are planning a boat trip in Sydney harbour similar to the one he made on the River Rhine in Cologne for the 20th WYD in August 2005. The customary Stations of the Cross prayer on the Friday (July 18) will involve famous actors. Saturday 19 July hundreds of youngsters will make a 20 km pilgrimage on foot starting from the Shrine of Blessed Mary of the Cross, crossing five bridges to reach Olympic Park, the site chosen for the evening Prayer Vigil and the main event the following morning WYD Day Mass with the Pope.
Besides logistic organisation, special attention is being given to spiritual preparation for the event focussing on Australia’s own Blessed Mother Mary MacKillop, beatified by Pope John Paul II on his second pastoral visita to Australia in 1995 and whom many hope may be canonised by 2008. (Agenzia Fides 12/1/2006 righe 32 parole 312)


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