World Youth Day, Australia 2008

07-08-2008

Half a million of Christian Youth have met under the sky of Sydney city in Australia, to attend the World Youth Day with Pope Benedict XVI.The young youth lived a deep spiritual experience under a single message, entitled: “the power of the Holy Spirit”, where they have reaped graces and blessings from their gathering, coloured with love. The Youths of the Holy Land and Jordan A delegation from the Holy Land and Jordan (12 from Palestinian territories, 14 from Israel, and 19 from Jordan) arrived at Sydney on Tuesday, July 8th 2008, after spending their first week in Melbourne, where some Catholic families hosted them.Fr. Firas Hijazeen, Fr. Kwerikou Manila, and Fr. Samer Zaknoun from the Holy Land, along with Fr. Wissam Mansour from Jordan have accompanied the delegation. The Opening of the international days of the World YouthBarangaroo Harbour marked the official opening of the international days of the Youth on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008. The opening started with a highly significant mass presided by Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, and the participation  of 26 cardinals along with 600 bishops and a large number of priests, as well as 150 thousand pilgrims.At the beginning of the Mass, some of the youth carried a Holy Cross, with the names of 168 participant countries engraved on it, and a big icon of the Virgin Mary. The homily focused on the Christian Youth and the power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God that works miracles.Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, were dates for the Christian Catechism, in which lectures, dialogues, experiences and masses have took place.  Wednesday Wednesday, July 16th 2008, was the first day for Christian Catechism that took place at Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Harris Park.Archbishop Boutrus Marayati, Armenian Catholic Bishop of Aleppo, has headed the Catechism, and then celebrated an Armenian ritual Holy Mass, with the participation of 150 pilgrims of the Syrian Youth.  Thursday An official ceremony was held to welcome Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday, July 17th 2008, in his meeting with the World Youth. His Holiness addressed a word in which he welcomed all the people coming from different regions: "Standing before me I see a vibrant image of the universal Church. The variety of nations and cultures from which you hail shows that indeed Christ’s Good News is for everyone; it has reached the ends of the earth", he said.The Pontiff talked about the Holy Spirit and way to acquire it through the grace of the Holy Sacraments. He cited several passages from the Bible that indicate the presence of the Holy Spirit, and its works in any Christian life. He focused on the Apostles’ teachings, and on Pentecost, in particular, when they received the Holy Spirit on Mount Zion, and they have become, at that time, witnesses to Christ, and started annunciating him in all parts of the world. His Holiness elaborated furthermore by talking about Baptism, describing it by the grace of God, whereby we allow the Spirit of God to work in us, enjoying the richness of the Holy Spirit’s gifts, and being witnesses for Christ.His Holiness also talked about the human rights, calling everybody to step down on violence, taking care of God's creation, activating peace, and offering encouragement to follow the saints' footsteps.  Friday The Way of the Cross has started on the shores of the Gulf on Friday 18th July 2008. The Pope walked the first two stations, and the rest of the stations were completed as eight of our Palestinian and Jordanian Youth carried the Holy Cross.  Saturday A large gathering took place on Saturday, 19th July, where the Holy Rosary was recited, and experiences were shared with the Pope.  Sunday Then, on Sunday, 19th, 2008, His Holiness ha celebrated the Holy Mass, with the participation of a group of bishops, priests and youth. The Pope prayed for the Youth assembly to be another Pentecost. He prayed, with the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, that the World Youth Day is to be experienced as a new Upper Room from which all Christians are burning with the fire and love of the Holy Spirit, going forth to proclaim the Risen Christ and to draw every heart to him."Here too, in this great assembly of young Christians from all over the world, we have had a vivid experience of the Spirit's presence and power in the life of the Church", he said.The Pope Benedict XVI focused on the importance of the Holy Spirit, the source of a new life in Christ, the church and the spirit with which we love the Lord and one another, and the light that opens our eyes to see the wonders of God's blessing.

 

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