World Youth Day
Pope asks young people to consider their legacy
20 July 08
Over 400,000 pilgrims gathered for the final World Youth Day Mass with the Holy Father at Randwick Racecourse. The majority of the young people had slept out under the stars and many had kept vigil overnight to spend time in silent prayer and reflection. World Youth Days have often been cited as a pivotal moment in a young pilgrim’s faith journey – there have been many marriages and vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life born out of these global gatherings.
In his homily at the Sunday Mass, having referred to those who had brought the faith to Australia through heroic sacrifice, Pope Benedict XVI then asked the young people: “What will you leave to the next generation? Are you building your lives on firm foundations, building something that will endure? Are you living your lives in a way that opens up space for the Spirit in the midst of a world that wants to forget God, or even rejects him in the name of a falsely-conceived freedom? How are you using the gifts you have been given, the “power” which the Holy Spirit is even now prepared to release within you? “
Click here for full release.
Pope Benedict XVI's homily at the World Youth Day final Mass at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney (pdf)
Click here to view images of the vigil and final Mass.
Sydney 08 - vital statistics
22 July 08
Did you know that over 170 nations were represented at World Youth Day?
Perhaps you'll be surprised to discover that WYD08 events were watched live by an estimated international TV audience of 500 million, with TV and internet audiences combined reaching 1 billion.
Hands up if you guessed that 220,000 slices of bread were consumed at the WYD Big Aussie BBQ and that, if laid end to end, the bread would cover the Sydney Harbour Bridge 21 times.
If you want the full World Youth Day stats from the sublime to the ridiculous, click here.
Pope Benedict speaks to young people at Barangaroo, Sydney Harbour
17 July 08 (evening)
"Our world has grown weary of greed, exploitation and division, of the tedium of false idols and piecemeal responses, and the pain of false promises. Our hearts and minds are yearning for a vision of life where love endures, where gifts are shared, where unity is built, where freedom finds meaning in truth, and where identity is found in respectful communion. This is the work of the Holy Spirit! This is the hope held out by the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI's address to young people at Barangaroo, Sydney Harbour (pdf)
G’day Holy Father
Up to 500,000 people thronged the streets and waterways of Sydney to officially welcome the Holy Father to Australia. In his opening speech at the welcoming celebration in Barangaroo, East Darling Habour, Pope Benedict XVI gave a special welcome to the pilgrims from England and Wales, recognising the distinct role that the British, particularly its religious brothers and sisters had played in the history of Australia over recent centuries.
Click here to view full press release:
Want to see the British pilgrims' reaction to the Holy Father's arrival?
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Rachel reflects on the Stations of the Cross
18 July 08
Rachel Manning of the Clifton Diocese phoned the UK on her mobile to describe the experience of witnessing a re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross at World Youth Day.
Rachel, pictured here (left) with fellow Clifton communications officer Antonia Fafiolu, described the re-enacted Stations as "intense and fantastic...it was so overpowering, there were thousands of people there sitting in absolute silence".
Rachel Manning reports back on the Stations of the Cross (mp3)
Click for further WYD coverage from the Diocese of Clifton
WYD images: Cardinal meets pilgrims and more...
18 July 08
A few images from Australia ahead of the pilgrims' night under the stars.
Pope addresses young people under the stars in Sydney
19 July 08 (evening)
Almost a quarter of a million pilgrims joined Pope Benedict XVI for a starlit vigil at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney.
Earlier in the day, tens of thousands of young people made their way across the city - many walking over the famous harbour bridge. The World Youth Day cross and icon were carried by pilgrims over the iconic bridge as dawn broke.
Pope Benedict received a rapturous welcome from the massive crowd.
"Tonight, gathered under the beauty of the night sky, our hearts and minds are filled with gratitude to God for the great gift of our Trinitarian faith. We recall our parents and grandparents who walked alongside us when we, as children, were taking our first steps in our pilgrim journey of faith. Now many years later, you have gathered as young adults with the Successor of Peter. I am filled with deep joy to be with you. Let us invoke the Holy Spirit: he is the artisan of God’s works. Let his gifts shape you!" Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict speaks to pilgrims under the stars at Randwick Racecourse (pdf)
Cardinal on Vatican Radio
19 July 08
Listen to Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor talking about the pilgrim experience on Vatican Radio.
Click the image or here.
Abbot of Worth speaks to The Times Online
18 July 08
Abbot Christopher Jamison, the Abbot of Worth Abbey, talks to The Times Online about what we should be focusing on during World Youth Day.
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World Youth Day - Opening Mass picture gallery
14 July 08
Click on the link below to download an mp3 with a mix of two Communion hymns from the opening Mass. The hymns are I will raise you up
and We are One Body in Christ
British pilgrims fly the flag for Pope’s visit
15 July 08
The 2,000-strong British contingent of young people on pilgrimage to Sydney for Pope Benedict XVI’s first visit to Australia for World Youth Day were flying their Union Jacks with pride at the opening Mass celebrated by Cardinal George Pell at Barangaroo (15 July).
The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd welcomed the 150,000 pilgrims, 26 cardinals and 400 bishops attending the Mass, telling them that: “too often when young people travel in large number, it’s for war. But you have come here as pilgrims of peace.”
Careers fair for future priests and nuns without the hard sell
15 July 08
Pope’s visit inspires young pilgrims to consider their religious calling
A careers fair solely dedicated to encouraging new recruits to become future priests and nuns? Surely it’s just wishful thinking? The young pilgrims visiting Sydney for World Youth Day definitely don’t think so as thousands pass through the doors of a four-day Vocations Expo designed to help them consider whether they feel called to put aside conventional careers in favour of the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.
Official welcome of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI to Australia
17 July 08
The Pope was welcomed by the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd and NSW Premier Morris Lemme. He received a 21 gun salute and inspection of the Federation Guard:
The Pope's address at Government House, Sydney
"Some might ask what motivates thousands of young people to undertake what is for many a long and demanding journey in order to participate in an event of this kind. Ever since the first World Youth Day in 1986, it has been evident that vast numbers of young people appreciate the opportunity to come together to deepen their faith in Christ and to share with one another a joyful experience of communion in his Church." Pope Benedict XVI
Opening address of Pope Benedict XVI, Government House, Sydney (pdf)
World Youth Day is the largest youth event in the world and will be held in Sydney 15-20 July 2008 (WYD08) when up to 500,000 young people will meet with the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. Around 2,000 young pilgrims and up to 20 Bishops are travelling from England and Wales to Australia this summer for a mixture of a pilgrimage, a cultural youth festival and a prayer rally. In size and scale 'WYD' is a major international youth event that, on major celebration days, far exceeds the Olympic Games for Sydney.
Young people who have been to previous World Youth Days have spoken of how the event has renewed their faith and has been an amazing experience of the international Church, "I had a very powerful and prayerful time at World Youth Day in Cologne. Travelling on pilgrimage with the Diocese of Westminster, we developed a strong sense of community, and we all grew in our spiritual lives together through our shared experiences. Being able to attend Mass, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, along with one million other young Catholics was truly inspiring. It has strengthened my faith, and deepened my prayer-life. I am very much looking forward to travelling to the next World Youth Day in Sydney this summer, and would encourage all young people to come and take part” Daniel, London.
WYD attracts pilgrims from some 200 nations (along with thousands of international journalists). WYD08 also marks the first visit to Australia by Pope Benedict XVI. ‘World Youth Day’ is actually a week of events, culminating in a Final Mass celebrated by the Holy Father. The young people travelling Down Under will have an opportunity to rediscover the calling of their Baptism, and the importance of the Mass and of the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), and so discover a renewed desire to witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ in the modern world. They will have a chance to make new friends, learn about Australian culture, and experience the Catholic Church in Australia. The WYD08 theme is: 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses' The Bible, Acts 1:8.
- “Today too there is a need for disciples of Christ who give unstintingly of their time and energy to serve the Gospel. There is a need for young people who will allow God’s love to burn within them and who will respond generously to his urgent call, just as many young blesseds and saints did in the past and also in more recent times. In particular, I assure you that the Spirit of Jesus today is inviting you young people to be bearers of the good news of Jesus to your contemporaries." Pope Benedict XVI, Message for WYD08
- “It’s the Pope’s first visit to Australia. His visit will be a blessing to the country in a very significant way. Australia has a great appeal - so many young people from England and Wales go to Australia to work there for a while. It is important that young people from England and Wales should support World Youth Day particularly when it is an English speaking country…. We have over 2000 going from this country. Each morning for three days, I meet a large group of about 1000, perhaps more young people from all over the world. I have to give catechesis sessions. I will be talking with them for 20 to 30 minutes and exchanging with them. To meet the young people not just from our own country, but especially from other countries – that will be for me the best part of the trip." Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor
Click on the links below or to the left to read more, there are sections for UK Media and for young pilgrims travelling to WYD08.
Whilst we've taken the utmost care in sourcing the links on these pages, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales cannot be held responsible for the content on external sites. Unless otherwise stated, all images Copyright © WYD08, WYD Logo © Copyright and ™ WYD 2008 used courtesy of WYD2008.
New World Youth Day prayer booklet
With World Youth Day 08 upon us, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales has released a prayer booklet to help UK pilgrims pray and reflect as they gather in Sydney alongside hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world.
"There will be lots of opportunities to explore and express your faith in community and there will also be the opportunity to create internal space for yourself with prayer, reflection and meditation.
This booklet offers guidance and examples of prayerful resources, gathered from many of the dioceses in England and Wales who are bringing pilgrim groups. It is intended to be used as a companion in the quieter moments of your pilgrimage and an aid to help realise the incredible power of the Holy Spirit at the heart of your experience of World Youth Day."
Bishop Kieran Conry
Bishop responsible for Youth Ministry
Read/download the booklet (pdf)