Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sydney (Agenzia Fides) - March 2007: With 500 days to go until the start of World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia 2008 (WYD08), organisers have announced a package of measures for international pilgrims.The measures include: A three-month standard visa, free of Government charges, for all registered pilgrims visiting Australia; A new DVD to be issued worldwide as an invitation to Sydney, and The opening of online registration for pilgrim groups travelling to Sydney. Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile has announced that all registered pilgrims would automatically receive a three-month visa - free of Government charges - to enable them to see more of Australia while in the country for the 23rd World Youth Day.
"A three month visa will allow those visitors to explore more of Australia while they're here, and allows other parts of the country to share in the hosting of World Youth Day," Mr Vaile said.
"I invite pilgrims to make the most of their three-month visas and visit the Australia that stretches beyond the fringes of Sydney. "Regional Australia - from the splendour of Uluru to the country hospitality of our wine regions to the rugged beauty of western NSW - has so much to offer our tourists," Mr Vaile said.
The new DVD - Sydney: Witness the Spirit - features testimonies from young Australians and stunning imagery from New South Wales and Australian tourism campaigns. The DVD also includes personal invitations from the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, and WYD08 Coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher OP to the young people of the world. "We hope they will be drawn not only by the beauty of Sydney and Australia, but also by the testimonies from young Australians who speak of the life-changing impact that past World Youth Days have had on them," Cardinal Pell said. "The DVD will be distributed internationally and be available online."
Bishop Fisher said most pilgrims come to World Youth Day as members of diocesan pilgrim groups, religious movements and youth groups to share the pilgrim experience. "We are opening group registrations online now - earlier than is normal for World Youth Days - to capture information on expected numbers, language groups and special needs. "This will enable us to plan early and match groups to accommodation and catechesis sites throughout Greater Sydney."
Bishop Fisher said registration by individuals will open mid-year. Group registration will be via the website - www.wyd2008.org - and be available in English, Italian, Spanish and French.
A paper registration process will be available for group leaders who do not have internet access.
World Youth Day is the largest youth event in the world and will attract up to 500,000 pilgrims from 15-20 July next year.
In the meantime the pilgrimage of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon of the Blessed Virgin continues in Asia on its path towards Oceania. The WYD organisers have commissioned 500,000 little WYD crosses to be given to the participants. The crosses are being produced by a workshop dedicated to Australia’s first Blessed ‘Mother Mary MacKillop’ run by a Catholic married couple: “The Cross is a reminder of conversion and resurrection and with every cross we make we will say a prayer for the boy or girl who will wear it” the couple said. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 3/3/2007 righe 27 parole 271)
