Did you know?
What first does a Sydney, WYD achieve?
ANSWER: While Sydney, WYD will be the tenth international gathering, it is the first for the Oceania Region (and second for the southern hemisphere). This means that while Sydney is the host city, Oceania is the host region. From Tuvalu to Tokelau, Guam to Papua New Guinea, the young people from these places are as much hosts as the young people from Annandale, Sydney or Auckland, New Zealand.
So what will the first Oceanic WYD look like? Firstly the Days in the Diocese will stretch from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, as dioceses in Australia and New Zealand host their international guests. Also the number of Oceanic pilgrims is expected to skyrocket. While seven pilgrims were the most Papua New Guinea had sent to a previous WYD, an expected three thousand are estimated to attend in Sydney.
‘A pilgrim’s prayer’
God help us to change.
To change ourselves
and to change our world.
To know the need for it.
To deal with the pain of it.
To feel the joy of it.
To understand the journey without
understanding the
destination.
The Art of gentle revolution.
-
Leunig (1990) A Common Prayer.
Prayer for Reconciliation
In the midst of conflict and division
We know it is you
Who turns our minds to thoughts of peace.
Your Spirit changes our hearts:
Enemies begin to speak to one another,
Those who were estranged join hands in friendship
And nations seek the way of peace together.
Let Your Spirit be at work in us.
Give us understanding and put an end to strife,
Fill us with mercy and overcome our denial
Grant us wisdom and teach us to learn
From the people of the land
Call us to justice.
(Adapted from the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer for Masses of Reconciliation II)
The Way of the Cross
As the Cross and Icon travel through Oceania (now joined by the Message Stick for the Australian part of the journey), it is an opportunity to reflect on the justice issues confronting the region. The Way of the Cross illustrates how God’s solidarity with humanity is also a call for us to stand in solidarity with the poor and suffering of our world. Download the reflection and instructions (115Kb Word Document) along with the presentation (1.8Mb PowerPoint).
Interactive Pilgrimage
Fifty young people. Seven days. One journey.
This flash animation recounts the historic cross-continental journey with the World Youth Day cross, icon and message stick. Bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in an expression of solidarity, the pilgrimage cuts through the red heart of Australia to explore the role faith can play in creating a just society.
See the interactive flash animation (5Mb) which follows the stories of four young pilgrims. You will need Adobe Flash Player installed to see the animation. Install it for free here, if you do not already have it.
