Pope Benedict to Thank WYD Volunteers

World Youth Day Organizers say:

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will hold a special audience with the 8,000 people who volunteer for World Youth Day (WYD08) to thank them for their hard work and dedication. (It's not too late to volunteer. They're still looking for about 3,000 volunteers.)

Instead of holding a tickertape parade, all WYD08 volunteers will be invited to an exclusive event with Pope Benedict before he boards his return flight to Rome.

“This will be a wonderful way to thank the 8,000 people who will have devoted their time to become the face of World Youth Day,” said WYD08 Chief Operating Officer, Danny Casey.

“We are still remembered for the generosity and altruism that around 47,000 volunteers displayed during the Sydney 2000 Olympics,” Mr Hollway said.

WYD08 only has around 8,000 volunteer roles on offer and organisers have already received applications from 5,000 people.

Roles are available in:

• operations and crowd management
• customer service
• language and translations
• staffing,
• hospitality & catering
• accommodation
• production
• communications
• liturgy and evangelisation

“Volunteers will take away more than just unforgettable experiences and fond memories of their participation, but also the knowledge that they were part of something huge - a significant page in Australia’s history,” said WYD08 Chief Operating Officer Danny Casey.

Volunteers must be over the age of 18 and be able to work during the event week 15 – 20 July, and will receive a uniform, backpack and assistance with public transport costs and meals.

WYD08 is taking applications now. For more information and to apply, visit www.wyd2008.org/volunteer

-- Tim Drake

Pope Benedict to Embrace Text Messaging for WYD

 

World Youth Day has moved into the new millennium. They've launched a social networking site and Pope Benedict is embracing text messaging. Here's an interview with Cardinal Pell, as well as the press release from World Youth Day.

In a World Youth Day first, Pope Benedict XVI will send text messages of hope and inspiration directly to pilgrims, reaching young people in their social space.

The service will be made possible by Telstra, announced today as the official telecommunications partner of World Youth Day 2008 (WYD08).

“We wanted to make WYD08 a unique experience by using new ways to connect with today’s tech-savvy youth,” said WYD08 Coordinator, Bishop Anthony Fisher OP. “Our partnership with Telstra will help us do that.”

Telstra will provide voice, data, mobile, broadband and broadcast services to WYD08, connecting 8000 volunteers, 2000 clergy, 3000 media and an anticipated 225,000 pilgrims to more than 700 locations around the greater Sydney area.

“Telstra’s involvement will ensure that WYD08 will be the most innovative World Youth Day to date,” Bishop Fisher said.

One-of-a-kind Telstra services planned for WYD08 include:

• Daily inspirational text messages from Pope Benedict XVI
• Digital Prayer Walls at event sites
• Hosting the official WYD08 online social networking site, XT3.com
• Telstra precincts - on the ground interactive centre’s including wireless internet, green screen studios, commemorative WYD08 photo messaging and music downloads.
• Next G™ Regional Catechesis webcasting

Mr. Michael Rocca, Telstra Group Managing Director Telstra Networks and Services, said Telstra was the only provider in Australia with the proven size, scale and innovation to deliver these services to WYD08.

“Just as we did for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, 2003 Rugby World Cup and the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, Telstra will bring participants closer to the event through new media and telecommunications services, allowing youth to interact with WYD08 events,” he said.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this major global event and we are happy to be providing world class telecommunications to WYD08 participants and organisers,” he said.

— Tim Drake

Pope Benedict's Australian Vacation

The World Youth Day organizers released the following press release today, confirming that Pope Benedict will be taking three days of R & R in Australia just prior to World Youth Day...

The Vatican has confirmed that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will spend three extra days resting in Australia before heading to Sydney for World Youth Day 2008 (WYD08).

The trip to Australia will be the longest journey the Holy Father has ever undertaken.  The Holy Father normally takes leave at this time and he has decided to spend several days preparing for his encounter with young people from 17-21 July this year.

The announcement by the Vatican confirms that the Holy Father will spend eight days in Australia, five days of which will involve World Youth Day activities.

“His Holiness will leave Rome on 12 July and arrive in Australia on Sunday 13 July,” said Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell.

“He will fly out on Monday 21 July,” Cardinal Pell said.

Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, Coordinator of WYD08, said he was pleased the Holy Father would have some private time to rest and prepare for the World Youth Day.

“We are delighted that the Holy Father has chosen to arrive early and spend more time in Australia,” Bishop Fisher said.

“We were asked to nominate a suitable location for his stay and have recommended somewhere serene, beautiful and suitable for the leader of the world’s Catholics.

“He will have the opportunity to see some of Australia’s beautiful flora and fauna.

“We cannot, of course, disclose the location; he is a Head of State seeking private time and has asked that that privacy be respected.

“Australia joins a very exclusive club in July; we will be only the third nation (outside Italy) to have been visited by each of the three ‘travelling’ Popes – Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and now Pope Benedict XVI.

“The other two countries are the United States and Turkey.”

Cardinal Pell said appropriate security arrangements would be in place throughout the Pope’s visit.

Pope Benedict will be officially welcomed into Sydney in a harbourside ceremony on Thursday 17 July and will take part in WYD08 events until Sunday 20 July.

World Youth Day Numbers on Track

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, registrations by pilgrims are on track. Organizers expect approximately 225,000 pilgrims for the July celebration. To date, 123,000 pilgrims have registered; 93,000 from overseas and 30,000 from Australia.

The five countries with the most registrants include: Australia, the U.S., Italy, Germany, and the Philippines. Italy currently has 11,000 registered.

Organizers suspect that some pilgrims will register shortly before WYD, but for U.S. pilgrims looking for flights that's not likely to work so well. While Qantas has added some additional flights, the majority of the flights are already filled. Planning for a 14+ hour journey requires a bit more foresight than a few weeks.

-- Tim Drake

News Tidbits on World Youth Day

With just 81 days to go before World Youth Day '08 in Sydney, it's been interesting to see the Australian press' take on the event. The majority of Australian articles have tended to be overly focus on the costs of the event, and the costs to Australian taxpayers. There's yet another article like that here.

However, ABC News Australia does have a different story. They are reporting that World Youth Day organizers are seeking an additional 20,000 homes to accommodate the pilgrims hoping to have a "homestay" experience. The organizers have already located 20,000 homes for some of the 250,000 expected pilgrims, but they are seeking an additional 20,000.

-- Tim Drake

Heading Home

After a grueling eight-day schedule, I head home this afternoon. To remind me that our work at Pope2008.com isn't finished I received an email this morning from the World Youth Day folks confirming my accommodation arrangements in Sydney. We have some exciting things planned to provide even better coverage of World Youth Day 2008. See you Down Under!

-- Tim Drake

Next Stop for Pope2008.com

BIog doings planned for Pope Benedict XVI's next 2008 stop, where Tim will be blogging: Sydney for World You Day. From the Sydney Morning Herald:

"Speaking alongside WYD co-ordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher and Aborigines representing a number of Catholic organizations, Bishop Saunders said Pope Benedict XVI would receive a traditional welcome to the country by a number of indigenous dancers when he arrived in Sydney later this year.

"Festival organizers also unveiled a number of bright red vestments which will be worn throughout the five-day event, from July 15-20.

"'The vestments have Marjorie's bird - an indigenous representation of the Holy Spirit - on the back, and the Southern Cross, which stands in the sky of this continent and makes of it a great spiritual homeland, a great natural cathedral,' Bishop Fisher said.

"They have been approved by the Vatican to be worn by all the cardinals, archbishops and bishops who will be celebrating at the Masses and also . . . we have every reason to believe, by the Holy Father himself."

The low rumble of a didgeridoo may be the first sound Benedict hears in Sydney.

-- Tom Hoopes

Has the Pope Rejected the WYD Vestment Design?

In a weakly supported article, The Australian says that the Pope has rejected the vestment design created for use during World Youth Day in Australia. According to the article, the design was rejected because it does not contain explicitly Christian symbols. Instead, it features the Southern Cross on its front, and indigenous artwork titled "Marjorie's Bird" on the back.

Yet, the article lacks any strong supporting sources indicating that what they are reporting is actually true. I would be far more inclined to trust Jim Hanna, director of communications with WYD, whom I have personally met, who says that he is unaware of any controversy surrounding the vestment design or liturgy.

Are you Looking for Tickets to WYD?

Pamela Kniss of Discover Down Under emailed to let me know that they currently have nine seats available for travel from Los Angeles to Sydney, Australia, July 11-24, 2008. The cost is $1669 + $330 taxes, for a total of $1999 per ticket. If you or someone you know is still hoping to make it to WYD this may be one of the few ways to obtain tickets affordably. The travel dates are firm. For more details, call 1-888-8 DOWNUNDER or email.

Covering the Pope is No Easy Task - Journalistic "Nightmares"

Barb Fraze, over at the CNS Blog, has posted a behind-the-scenes report on what a nightmare it can be to cover papal events.

Having covered World Youth Day in Toronto and in Cologne I can fully attest to what she's written. Whoever thinks it's somehow "glamorous" to cover a papal event hasn't had the pleasure of covering one. While it's certainly exciting, the logistics of trying to get to an event, take it in, interview people, and get back to write a story on it, are rather daunting.  In addition to the euphoria that accompanies such an event, there are the logistical nightmares of trying to get to a location at a given time, contending with the mass of people, the traffic, and actually filing a story. Many times traffic problems or security issues prevent you from getting to an event at all.

Neither my lap top power cable, razor, or clothing arrived in Cologne until a couple of days into my visit.

In Toronto, I remember during one papal event being corralled like horses into a gated area to watch a papal event.

I recall my worst journalistic experience during WYD in Cologne. As was typical, journalists that made it into a particular media pool - say to cover the Pope's arrival by boat - had to be on a bus at least 2 hours before departure. Then the journalists were taken to the boat, where we proceeded to sit for another hour, before being taken up river. Low and behold, once the Pope's boat came into sight, we were a good distance from it. Obviously, because he was on one boat and we were on another, there was no way to get close, to interview others (other than media), or to get a good photo. At the end, the journalists were taken to one side of the river, while the Pope was taken to the other, totally preventing the journalists from being able to get to Pope Benedict's arrival and speech at the Cologne Cathedral. How's that for planning?

Or there's the story of the journalists who were put on a bus to be taken out to Marienfeld for the Saturday evening vigil. For some unknown reason, they were brought to a military complex, where they sat for a couple of hours - without an explanation.

Or at the end of the Saturday evening vigil, there was the madness of hundreds of media personnel departing to get back to Cologne. It was late at night and we were told nothing other than to walk down a particular road. We walked, and walked, and walked, for an hour straight, not knowing where we were walking to, if anyone would be picking us up, or if we were walking all the way back to Cologne. Finally, after about an hour of walking, we entered a small village. There, some city buses finally showed up. You should have seen the mad dash as journalists ran to get on the buses. I've often wondered how such negative experiences color a journalist's story.

Given all of the security precautions being taken, and all the screenings, I expect that covering the U.S. visit will be much the same. We'll be prevented from bringing our laptops into venues. None of us will truly get close to the Holy Father. Our access has already been limited to one event per day. I'm guessing that given the realities of traffic, delays, etc. our access may be even more limited than that.

If you have a "papal coverage horror story" of your own to tell, feel free to share it in the comment boxes.

WYD Finds "Jesus"

Yes, you read that right. The WYD organizers announced their selection for the cast members for the Stations of the Cross. Jesus will be played by Alfio Stuto - the first man pictured on the left.

The main cast members are:

Jesus – Alfio Stuto

Mary – Marina Dickson

Pontius Pilate – Don McDonald

Judas – Chehade Richa

Peter – Mark McCormick

Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney and Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, WYD08 Coordinator, met the four Jesus finalists and the two finalists for the part of Mary on Friday 28 March to decide who would play the coveted roles.

“We were all very impressed with the short list presented by Fr Franco and are confident that those who have been selected will deliver a most spectacular Stations of the Cross re-enactment,” Cardinal Pell said.

“The Stations of the Cross was a most memorable part of the Toronto WYD – it will be wonderful to have these young people demonstrate in such a powerful and dramatic way the great love God has for all of us.”

SOTC director Fr. Franco Cavarra will now begin rehearsals with the entire cast to prepare the actors for their ‘big moment’ on the world’s stage.

“I’m extremely delighted to introduce to the world this wonderful group of young people as they embark on what will hopefully be a life-changing experience,” Fr. Cavarra said.

“The cast were selected for their individual strengths as well as the dramatic impact that I am certain they will deliver during this exciting performance.”

The Stations of the Cross will be telecast live to the world on the afternoon of Friday 18 July. A similar production at

Toronto

’s World Youth Day in 2002 was watched by one billion viewers worldwide.

“We want this to be a landmark event, one that will appeal to all Australians, not just Catholics,” Fr. Cavarra said.

Supporting the major cast members will be Roman Soldiers, women of

Jerusalem

, religious authorities and extras that will see a total cast of around 80 performers.

Fr. Cavarra brings a wealth of professional experience to the WYD08 team. He has directed operas internationally and around

Australia

, including at the Sydney Opera House. He is founding member of the longstanding Melbourne International Arts Festival.

WYD Already Inspiring Young People

World Youth Day is just over 100 days away, yet the event has already inspired young people in their faith. This story from Catholic News Agency recounts how young people have gathered - some in ecumenical groups - to perform Passion Plays and The Stations of the Cross in Australia.

From the story:

“The spirit of WYD has changed me,” said Maria Vu, a member in the Lockridge World Youth Day group of 42 young people. “I am inspired by other youth at school and in my parish who bear witness to our Catholic faith and our belief in Jesus. I know for sure in Sydney, I will be more aware about the universal Catholic Church in which we are all swept up in the love of Christ. I think WYD is a wonderful thing. It's something that gives life to the Church.”

Father Vinh Dong, the parish priest of Lockridge, said that the impact of the preparatory program for World Youth Day would continue “well beyond” the July event.

The Search for "Jesus" is Nearly Complete

According to this Scoop story, the search for the man who will play "Jesus" at World Youth Day's "Way of the Cross" is nearly over. He'll be played by one of the four younger men pictured to the left. According to officials, the list of hopefuls includes:

1. Alfio Stutio Jr, 27, Homebush West - sales and advertising professional
2. Chris Galletti, 25, Turramur - actor
3. Jesse Mowbray, 25, Warrimoo - architecture graduate
4. Luke Shaw, 30, Chifley - IT professional

All four hopefuls are Church-going Catholics. The article mentions that the Stations of the Cross at WYD in Toronto was watched by 1 billion television viewers worldwide.

The Canberra Times has a profile of one of the four gentlemen, Luke Shaw, who says he'd be happy even playing the role of a centurion. Another article at Live News has quotes from the hopefuls.

Those who remember the "female" Jesus at World Youth Day in Denver will appreciate the fact that all of contenders are male.

According to the article: “It is with enormous delight that we present the final Jesus hopefuls, each of whom brings to the table a unique offering – whether it be a physical likeness to Jesus, a strength of character, acting experience or a combination of the three!” said Father Franco Cavarra, Director of the Stations of the Cross production.

There's a fascinating in-depth look at Fr. Franco Cavarra in The Age that ends with this clincher...

"It's almost as if it puts the seal on what I was always working towards. It's as if it was always meant to be and this is the culmination. In retrospect, I can look back now and see the guiding hand, the fact that nothing happened by accident from the time I was that little boy giving absolution through a colander. There were no coincidences. And I know whose hand was doing the guiding all that time."

Whichever actor it is, I'm just trying to wrap my mind around any of the words of Christ being uttered with an Australian accent.

More Complaints on World Youth Day

The assault on World Youth Day seems be gathering more steam. Within the next two months I expect it to be in full-swing.

The Sydney Morning Herald obtained documents marked confidential that purport to show some of the routes being used during World Youth Day. You can enlarge the map to the left, by clicking on it. Not surprisingly, the article's primary concern is the potential disruption that the event may cause the city, rather than the opportunity the event presents. We've already seen the pundits complaining about the cost. Christian Taylor, writing for the homosexual publication SameSame.com says that World Youth Day "is set to be more disruptive, more expensive and more tedious tha[n] APEC was."

While The Herald provides the map, reprinted at left, it doesn't put the map into any context whatsoever.

This map highlights the Holy Father's route from Barangaroo to the Cathedral, most likely on the day of the Pope's arrival. A somewhat similar route, in reverse, and ending in Darling Harbour's Cockle Bay will be used for Friday's "Way of the Cross."

One of the fascinating things at World Youth Day in Toronto was "The Way of the Cross" as it made its way through the city's major thoroughfares. Everything stopped, as the Cross went by. I can still recall seeing hospital employees coming out of the hospital, and apartment residents in their high-rises looking out their windows to watch the event in the center of their city. Young people, wanting to keep up with the entire "Way of the Cross" ran with it from station to station, while others stood transfixed watching it on the large screen televisions set up at each station. One Canadian Television network broadcast the entire event live. It was impressive.

With the iconic backdrops of the Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Darling Harbour, I'm anticipating that Sydney's "Way of the Cross" may be one of the most visually stimulating ever.

Sydney Harbour Bridge to Close During WYD Pilgrimage

The Australian Herald-Sun has reported that the Sydney Harbour Bridge will close for at least 12 hours on July 19 as as many as 180,000 young people walk across the bridge on their way to Randwick Racecourse, the site of Saturday evening's prayer vigil and Sunday morning's final Mass. The nine-kilometer pilgrimage will begin near the Mary MacKillop Center in North Sydney. This is reportedly the 24th time that the bridge will have been closed. In addition, parts of the CBD (Central Business District) may also be shut down during WYD.

I was fortunate enough to climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb during my September visit to Sydney and I can tell you that one of the unforgettable images from WYD 08 will be the image of hundreds of thousands of youth crossing the iconic bridge.

An underground tunnel also goes beneath the harbour, so commuters do have another route they can take during the closure, but officials have admitted that WYD will cause some significant traffic delays.

World Youth Day 08 Unveils its Patrons

World Youth Day '08 has unveiled a photo gallery of its 10 designated patrons for the gathering in July. It reads like a Who's Who of the Church's more popular saints, and aside from a couple of changes doesn't differ greatly from the list of patrons used at previous WYD gatherings.

The list includes five saints, and five blesseds. They are:
- Our Lady of the Southern Cross (in the illustration to the left )
- St. Maria Goretti
- St. Therese of Lisieux
- St. Peter Chanel
- St. Faustina Kowalska
- Pope John Paul II
- Blessed Peter To Rot
- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
- Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (who, as we've reported here previously, will be making an appearance at WYD)
- Blessed Mary MacKillop (Australia's own Saint-in-waiting)

Australian artist, Richard de Stoop, was commissioned to recreate their images.

"We ask everyone to learn their stories, and understand that ordinary people can do extraordinary things through the Spirit of Christ," said Bishop Anthony Fisher, OP, coordinator of WYD 08. "We particularly urge young people to get to know and pray with our patrons."

The patrons will be focused on at particular WYD events, including the evening prayer service at Randwick Racecourse.

Verso l'alto - It's Official: Blessed Frassati on His Way to Australia

It's official - the body of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati will be in Sydney for World Youth Day, WYD organizers have announced. With the family's permission, the coffin containing his body will be transported from Turin, Italy to Sydney's Cathedral. The Cathedral will be a point of pilgrimage for all young Catholics in attendance, allowing each pilgrim to have an opportunity to venerate the young, charismatic man revered for mountain climbing, his social activism, a sense of humor, and a generous spirit. He often signed his letters and photos with the expression, "Verso l'alto."

"His youthful good looks, charm, fun-loving nature and dedication to God and humanity make him the perfect inspiration for young people," said Bishop Anthony Fisher, OP, coordinator of WYD08. "Pier Giorgio loved sport, horse riding, mountain climbing - and even practical jokes."

From the WYD press release: "Born into a wealthy, influential but unreligious family - his agnostic father became Italian Ambassador to Germany. Pier Giorgio joined the St. Vincet de Paul Society in 1918 at the age of 17, committing his spare time to the sick and needy. An extremely passionate social activist, Giorgio joined student organizations, opposed facism, and established a daily newspaper.

His great acts of charity included donating his graduation money to an elderly woman evicted from her apartment and supporting a sick widow's three children. In 1925, Giorgio was afflicted by an acute attack of polio, which doctors speculated he caught from the sick whom he tended. He died at the age of 24.

His family were amazed to see thousands of mourners lining the streets for his funeral, many of whom were the poor and needy he had served selflessly. They in turn were stunned to learn this generous and humble youth was from such an important family.

It was these people who petitioned the Archbishop of Turin to begin the cause for canonization, a process started in 1932. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 20, 1990.

World Youth Day Boat-a-cade

World Youth Day organizers have officially announced what's long been expected - that when Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Sydney, he'll be taking a cruise of Sydney Harbour in a boat-version of his traditional motorcade. He did the same thing at World Youth Day in Cologne. This story from the Brisbane Times provides a few more details than most of the other stories I've seen.

While visiting Sydney last September, a group of media personnel, including myself, had the opportunity to take a cruise on the Sydney 2000, the very boat that Pope Benedict will be riding. Robert Goldsack, major client account manager with Captain Cook Cruises, which operates the ship, joined us for dinner and told us that it was very likely that the pope would be riding the very same boat come next July. It's an impressive 63-metre, three-level ship with dining and entertaining facilities. The company has hosted other dignitaries, including the President of the U.S. and British royalty.

According to ABC, the ship will be accompanied by a flotilla of 12 other ships.

"We're yet to settle exactly where on the boat he'll be but I think that we can be confident that all of Sydney will get to see him," said Bishop Anthony Fisher, World Youth Day Coordinator.

Based on our own tour of the boat, I think it's safe to say that the Pope will either be on one of the cocktail decks or the star deck. My bet is that it's one of the cocktail deck's on the forward of the ship.

The WYD press release stated that Pope Benedict will disembark at Barangaroo (the buildings in the photo are being torn down for the events) for an official welcome ceremony before more than 100,000 people. Barangaroo, a former shipping dock in East Darling Harbour, will be the venue for the Opening Mass on Tuesday, July 15 celebrated by Cardinal George Pell, and the Papal Arrival on Thursday, July 17.

The "WOCHA" Mantra Has Officially Begun

I was wondering how long it would take before the "WOCHA" (Women's Ordination, Contraception, Homosexuality, Abortion) mantra would begin. Five weeks out from the Pope's visit, it looks like Cleveland.com is the first to begin the mantra with this story juxtaposing American disagreements over contraception with the Church's teachings. I coined this term during World Youth Day in Cologne after witnessing reporter after reporter ask young Catholics the same question..."Do you agree with the Church's teaching on...(Insert social topic here)?"

The story does much to show the disagreements, but little to clear them up by actually reporting what it is that the Church teaches, and more importantly, why. It's so completely predictable.

Yesterday, I spoke with Tim Graham, director of media analysis with the

Research

Center

. They compiled a special report on the media’s coverage of Pope John Paul II titled “The Life of John Paul II: Shepherd of Souls or Antiquated Authoritarian.”

“What I expect we’ll see is a set of polls that will say that American Catholics as a whole disagree with Pope Benedict on a number of things,” said Graham. “They love to poll Catholics because the sample size is large enough, but they don’t separate out for how many of those they are polling have been inside of a Catholic Church within the last decade.”

“When the media interviews these people, they want to see the Church as out of touch,” said Graham. “Rather, it’s these people they use who are out of touch with the Church.”

Media

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati's Body May be Flown to WYD

Catholic News Service has a story reporting that the Italian Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati's body may be flown to Australia for veneration during World Youth Day. Long a popular "saint" with Catholic youth, Frassati died in 1925 at the age of 24. His tomb in the Cathedral of Turin was opened March 3.

From the article: "Wanda Gawronska, Blessed Pier Giorgio's niece, told CNS she was certain that her uncle's remains would be part of World Youth Day.

"It is beautiful. It is something splendid," she said.

The Vatican Congregation for Saints' Causes must give final approval to the plan, she said, but she expects the congregation to do so.

She said young people identify with her uncle "because they have the same problems, desires and interests he had. They see him more as a companion and a friend than as an authority.""

WYD Catechesis Themes Announced

The World Youth Day organizers have announced the themes for catechesis during the international event. Catechesis typically takes place during Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings of the event, and is led by bishops from around the world. I recall attending a catechesis session led by Chicago's Cardinal Francis George at a packed Church in Dusseldorf during World Youth Day in Cologne. Not only did the Cardinal give a talk, but young people also had the opportunity to ask questions.

WYD has released the themes and accompanying Scripture verse selected for each of the days. They expect that catechesis will be offered in over 300 Sydney Churches and venues.

The central theme for the three days of catechesis is "Holy Spirit and Mission." Here are the themes for each day.

· Wednesday 16 July – Called to live in the Holy Spirit

    Scripture verse: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit” (Gal 5:25)

    Scripture texts for the Mass: Acts 1: 6-14 and Luke 24: 44-49

· Thursday 17 July – The Holy Spirit, soul of the Church

    Scripture verse: “For in one Spirit we were all baptised into one body; and we were all given to drink of one Spirit” (1 Cor 12:13)

    Scripture texts for the Mass: 1 Corinthians 12: 4-13 and Matthew 16: 13-19

· Friday 18 July – Sent out into the world: the Holy Spirit, the principal agent of mission

    Scripture verse: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8)

    Scripture texts for the Mass: 1 Corinthians 9: 16-18 and Matthew 28: 16-20

The Scripture verse for Friday 18 July is also the theme for WYD08.

“Catechesis represents the spiritual heart of World Youth Day, when young people from various backgrounds and circumstances unite to listen, reflect, discuss and pray in harmony,” said WYD08 Coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher OP.

“I encourage all pilgrims who are attending WYD08 to begin reflecting on the Catechesis themes now, so that come July, they are spiritually prepared to witness the Spirit and gain as much as they can from their WYD08 experience,” he said.

The WYD08 Catechesis themes and Scripture texts for each of the Masses were selected by the Pontifical Council for the Laity (PCL), the Vatican body that oversees World Youth Day preparations.

World Youth Day - More Than a Party

Monsignor Mauro Parmeggiani, Rome's diocesan director for youth ministry, told Zenit that Pope Benedict XVI would like to transform from "sort of a party...an external celebration" into an interior celebration, "that of the meeting of man with God, with God's mercy in his heart.

The article then goes on to stress the existence of sin and the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Says the article, "And the problem people have with confessing to a priest, he said, is a false one: “In a world where we are all ready to tell everything about ourselves anywhere -- on the radio, on the Internet, in blogs, forums, in text messages -- with all of these ways of communicating, where people communicate very intimate and personal things, I believe we shouldn’t be ashamed to open our hearts to God’s minister, who in that moment represents Christ, Christ who listens to me, Christ who encourages me, Christ who tells me, ‘Rise and walk.’”

This article is telling, in that it demonstrates a transition in how Pope Benedict would like to approach World Youth Day. Having said that, I will say that the Sacrament of Reconciliation has been a very large part of WYD in Toronto and Cologne. Not only is the Sacrament offered in the many parishes where catechesis is held during the week, but it's also available at the Saturday evening vigil. In Toronto, a park was transformed into a place for confession, and I can also recall being inside a large convention hall where makeshift confessionals were set up alongside the walls of the room. Young people were standing in lines of 20 to wait to attend the Sacrament in their own language. Pope Benedict wants to remind the youth that the gathering is fundamentally about their own individual relationship to God within the larger context of a universal gathering of the Church. It represents a slight change in emphasis from that of Pope John Paul II.

Fewer Americans Expected to Travel to Australia for WYD

In the first story of its kind that I've seen, the Sydney Morning Herald is predicting that less American youth will be traveling to Australia than was originally thought. When I was in Sydney last September, WYD organizers said that they expected about 37,000 Catholic pilgrims from the U.S. According to this article, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has figures showing that fewer than 20,000 Catholic youth are expected to travel from the U.S. That compares to about 25,000 who attended WYD in Cologne in 2005.

The article says that the primary reasons for the decrease in numbers are the high costs of traveling so far. I can attest to this.

In December, when I purchased my airline tickets to Sydney, I was told that virtually all of Qantas' flights were full. I had to travel a day more on both ends of my flight to obtain a ticket, at a cost of $3,100. For those who have waited to book their travel, it's likely that they've either found no seats, or costs more in the range of $5,000-6,000. That's a hefty price tag for your typical middle-class Catholic youth in a pew. Unless they've been saving for a long time, have done fantastic fundraising, or come from a wealthy family willing to pay the bill, those figures are going to be prohibitive for a lot of youth.

From the article: "Sister McCann said accommodation and air fare packages - selling for between $US3400 and $US5600 - were beyond the reach of most university students who relied on holiday work to subsidise their tuition and other education expenses and could not afford to spend up to two weeks on a pilgrimage."

"Organisers had been urging pilgrims to take advantage of cheaper flights via Asia, to book early and directly with the airlines, to itemise any travel quotes and to have flexible itineraries."

Exclusive Look at WYD Vestments

WYD put out a press release saying that it will be providing specially designed vestments for Cardinals, Bishops, priests, and deacons to wear during World Youth Day in Australia. Click on the image on the left for a closer look at the chasuble.

From the release: "The 700 specially designed chasubles - the outer garment that covers the celebrant from the neck down - will be produced for Cardinals and Bishops celebrating the Opening Mass and the Final Mass.

Around 3,000 stoles - the strip of cloth worn around the neck that hangs down past the waist - are being produced for priests and deacons to use throughout the WYD08 week.

"The vestments are an earthy red colour to reflect Australia's unique landscape," said Father Peter Williams, WYD08 Director of Liturgy. "They feature the Southern Cross on the front, signifying Australia as the Great Southern Land of the Holy Spirit. This is reinforced by the indigenous image on the back of the chasuble - Marjorie's Bird - also representing the Holy Spirit. We want to ensure we reflect our unique landscape, history and cultural influences when the international spotlight is on Sydney for this great event."

Marjorie's Bird was created by indigenous artist Marjorie Liddy from the Tiwi Islands in Northern Territory. Both sets of vestments were designed by Melbourne firm Stuart Pettigrew Design and sister Rosemary Crumlin, RSM. The vestments are currently being produced in Bergamo, northern Italy by Solivari, a company specialising in liturgical vestments."

The Sydney Morning Herald described the vestments as "fire-engine red."

Sydney Chamber of Commerce Says WYD will Bring $231 Million to Australia

With the recent articles and criticisms being leveled at the cost of World Youth Day, the Sydney Chamber of Commerce released an independent study showing that the event will inject a projected $231 million in economic activity into Sydney and surrounding regions of the country.

Many World Youth Day groups, taking advantage of what may be young people's only exposure to the country, are touring Australia the week before or the week after WYD. Here are the details, from a press release provided by WYD organizers.

    World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08) today welcomed an independent study concluding that the event will generate $231 million in economic activity.

     WYD08 Chief Operating Officer Danny Casey said the Sydney Chamber of Commerce report examined up-to-date planning figures for the event, to be held from 15 to 20 July.

     “This study reinforces the view of many that WYD08 will not only deliver social benefits to

Australia

but will also inject substantial immediate benefits into

Sydney

’s tourism, hospitality and retail businesses,” he said.

     “WYD08 will draw 125,000 pilgrims to Sydney - more international visitors than the 2000 Olympic Games attracted – and around 60,000 Australians from outside

Sydney

.

     “With the high Australian dollar expected to discourage other tourists from visiting

Australia

, it’s a great time to be hosting the world’s biggest mobilisation of young people.”

     The Chamber’s report took into account anticipated tourism earnings, business opportunities, global brand positioning and cultural exchanges.

     “WYD08 will further project

Sydney

as a leading global city and further boost the cultural credentials of our great city,” said the Hon. Patricia Forsythe, Executive Director, Sydney Chamber of Commerce.

     The study estimates WYD08 will inject $231 million into the economy, comprising expenditure on food, accommodation, transport and other retail.

     Despite being held primarily in

Sydney

, WYD08 will have economic benefits for surrounding regions and the rest of the country. In the week prior to WYD08, tens of thousands of pilgrims will visit parishes in other parts of the country under the Days in the Dioceses program from 10 – 14 July.

A WYD Critic

Mike O'Connor of Australia's Courier Mail feels that World Youth Day isn't worth the $150-210 million it will cost to stage an event for a religious group that represents 25% of the population.

O'Connor wonders "how in a world of poverty and want, the Church can justify the expenditure of $150 million to stage a giant get-together."

"In holding World Youth Day, the Church obviously hopes to engage with young people who show little or no interest in organised religion," writes O'Connor. "Walk into any church in Brisbane next Sunday and you will see very few people under the age of 30 in the pews. The problem is real but I very much doubt if World Youth Day is going to suddenly fill the churches with teenagers. It might give all who attend a feeling of belonging and relevance for a few days but it is not going to reverse the decline in the Church's appeal in this country or elsewhere."

O'Connor makes a common mistake - that of thinking that because he doesn't see young people in Church on Sunday morning that they are not engaged in the Church. This is a common misconception. In doing research for my book "Young and Catholic: The Face of Tomorrow's Church," it became clear that youth and young adults who stay up late on Saturday evening aren't likely to be seen at Sunday's 8 a.m. Mass. However, youth-oriented Masses, are quite popular here in the U.S. and in Australia by groups such as NET Ministries, and LifeTeen. It may come as a surprise to O'Connor, but those offered through LifeTeen Australia often take place on either Saturday or Sunday evening. In fact, the Sunday evening Mass is becoming the Mass of choice for young people even at many local parishes.

LifeTeen Australia at Castle Hill, for example, has more than 500 teens every Sunday night at 6 p.m. So, it would be quite natural not to see these young people at Church on Sunday morning. Here's a blog entry on LifeTeen in Australia.

As for the comment regarding the Church spending money, this is the similar argument that gets used whenever the Church decides to build a new Cathedral. It reminds me of Judas' complaint (in John 12:1-8) when Mary uses costly oil to anoint Christ's feet.

Judas, who kept the purse for the poor, argues that the money could have been put to better use.

Jesus' response to Judas is "Let her alone; she has kept this  for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always."

It is hard, perhaps, to gauge the lasting impact of World Youth Day upon a country and those who attend, but the event is set up almost like a mini-Easter, with the Way of the Cross on Friday, Saturday's pilgrimage, and Sunday's final Mass. It is, at its very core, an encounter with Christ.

I've experienced two World Youth Days. One immediate result that came from World Youth Day in Toronto was the Canadian television network Salt + Light. I recall speaking with Milwaukee's Archbishop Timothy Dolan at WYD in Cologne. As former rector of the North American College in Rome, he told me that in reading the essays of incoming seminarians, WYD played a pivotal role in their discernment of their religious vocation in a significant number of applications.

Yes, the Church hopes for a revival wherever WYD is held, but fundamentally youth come from around the world at the invitation of the Holy Father to encounter Jesus Christ.

"I would hope that the World Youth Day would strengthen the faith of young Christians and that that would be represented, in one way amonst others, by an increased frequency in their attendance at mass and prayerfulness, trying to build lifelong marriages, following the church's teachings in all sorts of ways," said Cardinal George Pell. "I would be surprised if we don't have a bit of a bounce for at least a couple of years afterwards in the numbers of young men coming into the priesthood and your women wanting to devote themselves to the Catholic Church and even things like the number of young Catholics who want to become Catholic teachers."

Are you Planning to Attend?

Dear readers,

Are you planning to attend the Papal Mass in Washington, D.C., New York, or World Youth Day in Sydney? If so, I'd love to hear from you. Either comment in the comment box or email me (email address is on the right hand side of the page). I'd like to know who you are, age (if you're comfortable sharing it), where you're from, and why you're attending.

WYD Costs on the Rise

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the costs of staging WYD have risen from an expected $100 million to $150 million.

According to the Herald article by Linda Morris:

   

"Sydney's Catholic priests have been told that the bulk of the $150 million - four dollars in every five - will go towards providing accommodation, meals and care for more than 200,000 local and international pilgrims and the staging of major events including the opening and closing Mass.

    Pilgrims' registration fees - which vary according to source country and accommodation needs - will meet about half of all costs. The rest is to be made up by federal grants (20 to 24 per cent), the church and donors (18 to 22 per cent) and business partners and sponsors (8 to 10 per cent)."

The Pope with Pell

According to Australia's The Age, when Pope Benedict XVI visits Sydney for four days in July for World Youth Day he'll be staying with Cardinal George Pell.

The Age reports he'll be staying at the Cath olic Church's residence next to Sydney's St. Mary's Cathedral.

As he did in Cologne for World Youth Day, the Australia trip will also involve a boat trip.

"Along with other visiting WYD dignitaries, the Pope will travel by boat to some Sydney locations and WYD events," says The Age.

"Apart from Randwick Racecourse, where he will conduct a mass, the Pope is likely to visit sites including the newly-named Barangaroo site in East Darling Harbour, the Domain, the Opera House and Centennial Park.

A spokesman for WYD said the Pope was expected to arrive at Barangaroo by boat for his official welcome."

The Cost of WYD

Australia's Herald Sun reports that World Youth Day 2008 will cost the Federal and New South Wales governments $76 million. Last September, controversy reigned over whether or not the officials at Sydney's Randwick Racecourse were going to allow the Pope to use the racecourse for the final Papal Mass. In the end, the Australian Jockey Club agreed to vacate the racecourse, after being promised $50 million for infrastructure, renovations, and preparations for getting the track ready following the Mass.

Predictions are that the more than 500,000 visitors will inject $150 million into the state economy.