Remembering World Youth Day Sydney

Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
21 Jul 2009

For most people at the anniversary Mass it didn’t feel like 12 months since WYD08.

Those present included priests from the Archdiocese, brothers and priests visiting from interstate and overseas in Sydney for SCENE and those who assisted with the coordination and administration of WYD08 as well as government and business representatives.

The Mass was streamed LIVE on the Archdiocese website which allowed pilgrims who were in Sydney for WYD could see the Mass on their computers and recall the amazing scenes from Australia’s biggest ever event.

Bishop Anthony Fisher said in his Homily," Some of you may have been a little preoccupied a year ago. We had our tasks to perform and so we might not have heard all the messages or seen all the graces. But an anniversary is a chance to relive, re-collect, re-vision."

"On this date, 20th July, last year over 400,000 people, including 4,000 priests, 420 bishops, 26 cardinals and one very happy Pope gathered for the largest youth gathering, the largest religious gathering, indeed the largest people gathering in one place for any purpose in the history of Australia and Oceania.

"Looking in awe, then and for much of the preceding week, through television and the internet, were the rest of our nation and another billion people around the world."

Bishop Anthony went on to say WYD08 was undoubtedly the happiest and holiest week in the history of our city, with its streets vibrating with the spirit of God, the spirit of youth, the spirit of friendship.
In fact Pope Benedict thought it was Pentecost Down Under. (read more)

For the thanks giving reflection during the Mass, the 15-year old school boy with the beautiful tenor voice, Mark Vincent, sang Ave Maria in honour of Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Principal Patron of WYD08.

Archbishop Cardinal Pell then welcomed guests to a supper at Cathedral House where he personally thanked all those who were instrumental in making WYD08 such a success, including all the volunteers, youth workers, police, government organisations, schools, home stay families, parishes, priests and bishops and the many thousands of young pilgrims.

He said he hoped all would see the fruitful legacies of WYD for many years to come.