World Youth Day 2008

[Nance]

Originally Posted by Philip76

I'd like to be there. My wife and I will drive up there and try to stay somewhere out of Sydney. I have no idea where they will fit a million people, if that is a potential attendance. But it would be good to see.

Australia's a fairly anti-Catholic nation so you'll all have to make sure you come and visit, otherwise the smallish number of Catholics here won't be able to make it a huge event.

Here's a link to the Sydney Archdiocese site: http://www.sydney.catholic.org.au/Ne...5821_179.shtml

Wow! I'm surprised by your statement! Australia's a fairly anti-Catholic nation With the recent rumours and now the official word from the Pope that it will indeed be in Australia, I ponder on how the decision is made as to where the WYD's are to be held!! One of my thoughts is ... Does it have to be a strong Catholic Country?? or does it have to hold a significant religious history of sorts?? The ??'s are many but, it does come to my heart that WYD is really about sharing the faith with all walks of life and awakening the seed of faith in others too...I could say much more and elaborate but I think you get what I'm trying to say...
Congratulations to the Aussie's...I'm sure you will do a wonderful job!

[malcolm_davies]

POPE Benedict XVI will visit Australia in 2008 when Sydney hosts the world's biggest assembly of young Catholics, the pontiff announced as he concluded his German tour with a condemnation of religious "consumerism".

"I am pleased to announce that the next World Youth Day will take place in Sydney, Australia, in 2008," the golden-robed Pope said, confirming in English one of the Vatican's worst-kept secrets to the cheering mass of 800,000 people from 200 countries. A didgeridoo echoed as the Pope prepared the final eucharist.

Prime Minister John Howard said all Australians, not just Catholics, would welcome Pope Benedict to Sydney.

"This will be a great event for Australia," he said. "It will be once again an opportunity for this country to showcase its openness, its friendship and the warmth of the reception visitors receive whenever they come to Australia."

But as politicians began to calculate the event's benefits to tourism, the 78-year-old pontiff cautioned against religious consumerism.

"If it is pushed too far, religion becomes almost a consumer product," he said. "People choose what they like, and some are even able to make a profit from it."

Sydney's WYD is expected to attract more than 100,000 overseas pilgrims, rivaling the 2000 Olympic Games in size.


NSW Tourism Minister Sandra Nori said the Christian youth jubilee would cost taxpayers about $20 million but the spin-off from tourism should deliver massive profits.

"We are expecting a minimum of a three-to-one return, possibly as high as $110 million," she said from the German city of Cologne yesterday.

"I know the federal Government will contribute, and there will be the resources of the Catholic Church, sponsorship and donations. Potentially, in terms of numbers, it could be bigger than the Olympics."

Ms Nori said the German event had lured more than 400,000 registered pilgrims but fewer were expected to fly to Australia due to the distance.

Apart from the official pilgrims, another 400,000 spectators, many from Germany, turned up to watch the closing mass yesterday, many sleeping out overnight to see the Pope.

Cardinal George Pell, the Archbishop of Sydney who lobbied for two years to secure the right to host the jubilee, said only "scrooges" would complain about the cost of hosting the first papal visit in 13 years.

"It is an enormous privilege to host WYD and all Australians should feel proud that we have received this honour," he said.

"Sydney's WYD will bring tremendous benefits to our community. Scrooges will always complain about money spent on worship, but Australians are better than this."

With a slogan of "take up your cross and follow me", Sydney will host the week-long jubilee of Catholic services, papal speeches and concerts at its Homebush Olympic venues.

It will also organise a pilgrimage across the Harbour Bridge and the four Parramatta River bridges.

Expatriate Australian actor Mel Gibson, who directed the controversial Catholic film The Passion of the Christ, will be asked to re-enact the last hours of Jesus Christ by recreating the Stations of the Cross parade through Sydney's streets.

[LouiseL_SFO]

UtahMaggie, MarySon is correct about the celebration of WYD in 'off' years. It seems from what I've read though that the event in Rome is more heavily attended in those other years.

With respect to the age for attendance I think the official age range is 16 to 30. I know when I was reading the official site it looked like they strongly discouraged attendance by anyone under 16 and would not accept official registration for anyone younger.

[Franze]

Australia, I love that country, I would like to go.

[Nekić]

I am currently in a state of jbilation. See my signature.

When i was told the day before it was announced, i was sooo happy... i'll probably spend the whole of WYD in sydney, sleeping in a sleeping bag in the street... ohhh, yummm....

but yeah. Can't wait.

[cardenio]

Originally Posted by Nekić

I am currently in a state of jbilation. See my signature.

When i was told the day before it was announced, i was sooo happy... i'll probably spend the whole of WYD in sydney, sleeping in a sleeping bag in the street... ohhh, yummm....

but yeah. Can't wait.

This is beautiful. First you spelled "rejoice" wrong, now "jubilation."

I'm sorry, but not sorry enough to hit backspace.

That was awesome.

[ack]

You can be an international volunteer then...

Originally Posted by sweetchuck

I hope not! I'll be 28!