World Youth Day 2008 PDF Print E-mail
‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.’ (Acts 1:8)

WYD This verse from the Acts of the Apostles has been chosen as the theme for the tenth international World Youth Day in 2008. After His death and resurrection but before He ascends into heaven, Jesus promises the gift of His Spirit to the Apostles. It signifies the birth of the Church and is a reminder of the necessary presence of the Holy Spirit in transforming our lives to help us live according to the ways of Jesus. Our Lord commissioned the Church to be His witness in the world and so it is appropriate that thousands of young people from across the world will gather in Australia to celebrate their faith in Him.

At World Youth Day in Cologne in 2005 His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI announced that Sydney would host the next international gathering in 2008. The official celebrations will take place from 15th to 20th July 2008 with the preparatory ‘Days in the Dioceses’ lasting from approximately 10th to 14th July.

What is World Youth Day?

The idea was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1986. The late Holy Father invited young people from many nations to come together to celebrate and learn about their faith. The encounters are designed to strengthen friendship and hope between those who gather. The event is a sign of the Church’s trust in young people to spread the Gospel message with enthusiasm. World Youth Day takes place annually at diocesan level but is in the form of an international assembly every two or three years.

How do I find out more?

There is lots of up-to-date information on the Official World Youth Day 2008 website . Look out for the ‘ePilgrimage’ feature - a cyber epistle with a new edition every month. Each version offers reflections on a particular theme with readings from Scripture as well as profiles of saints and pilgrims and all the latest news on preparations for Sydney.

Armagh Diocesan Youth Council

The Armagh Diocesan Youth Council is organising a group of young people aged 18 and over from the archdiocese to travel to Sydney. The pilgrimage will last from 6th to 25th July 2008. A pilgrimage is a long journey or search of great moral significance. The journey begins as soon as you agree to go. Before leaving there will be opportunities for the Armagh pilgrims to journey together as a group through team meetings and fundraising. The sharing in faith continues upon arrival in Australia when you will meet many other young Catholics from throughout the world and learn about their experience of faith.

Cologne An estimated half a million young people are expected to attend World Youth Day. The Australian Bishops have asked for up to 2,000 pilgrims from Ireland and there will be thousands more from many nations. The young people and priests in Sydney will continue to plan over the coming months and the final schedule of events will not be finalised until later. However the basic format of the international World Youth Day is unchanging. The World Youth Day Cross and Icon of Our Lady have been travelling since the last World Youth Day in Cologne in 2005. They have journeyed around Africa in 2006; south east Asia and Oceania in early 2007; and Australia from mid- 2007 until they reach Sydney in July 2008.

The Armagh pilgrims will arrive in Australia in time for the ‘Days in the Dioceses’ programme. During this week the pilgrims are hosted by young people in an Australian parish and participate in events organised by the home parish. World Youth Day proper then commences on Tuesday 15th July and includes:

•    An opening Mass celebrated by Sydney Archbishop Cardinal George Pell and Archbishop Stanislaw Ryiko.
•    A 3 day Youth Festival with exhibitions and performances.
•    Teaching sessions taking the form of catechesis by bishops from across the world.
•    Arrival of the Pope on Sydney harbour and welcome.
•    Stations of the Cross through the city.
•    A Pilgrim Walk to Ranwick Racecourse and an Evening Vigil.
•    A Final Mass celebrated by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

The cost of this unique pilgrimage is approximately £1,700 to £2,000 per pilgrim. It may seem a lot but the Youth Council will assist you in fundraising to reduce the cost. Each pilgrim will be asked to make a personal contribution of £500 which will be paid for in instalments of £100 in September, October and November of 2007 and also February and March of 2008.

Young people should register their interest by 10th August 2007. Forms can be obtained in the Parish Churches or by contacting one of the priests.
For further information contact Kate or Sarah on 028 37525592 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Parishioners can also make enquiries to Fr. O’Dwyer or Fr. White.
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