Forward to Sydney

While the time spent in Melbourne has been nothing short of fantastic, it is time for the Madison pilgrims to move on and travel the pilgrim’s path to the Holy Father. Today, young people from all over the state of Victoria and beyond are traveling to Sydney for the start of the official World Youth Day events. The Madison youth bring their newfound friendship with the young people of St. Peter Chanel, and, armed with new knowledge of Australian rules football, drive by bus 10 hours to the site of the 23rd gathering of Catholic youth. Check back soon for complete updates, including a rundown of the Days in the Diocese program. Until then, it’s g’day mate!

Holy Father asks for WYD prayers

From the Catholic News Agency:

VATICAN CITY — (CNA) Before the recitation of the Angelus on Sunday, July 6 in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict XVI requested prayers for his upcoming trip to Sydney, Australia for the 23rd World Youth Day. The Holy Father said, “My head is already in Australia, where God willing, I will go next Saturday, July 12. Over the last few months the Youth Cross has traveled across Oceania. In Sydney there will be a silent witness of the alliance between Our Lord Jesus Christ and the next generation.” The Pontiff then reviewed the major activities to take place during WYD and stressed that the “Australian Bishops Conference has prepared everything with care, correctly with the collaboration of the civil authorities. The first groups of young people are departing from the other continents for Australia. I invite the entire Church to participate in this next phase of the great youth pilgrimage to the world, initiated in 1985 by the Servant of God John Paul II.”

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‘Usus antiquor’ at World Youth Day

From the New Liturgical Movement:

SYDNEY, Australia (NLM) — His Eminence Cardinal George Pell will celebrate Solemn Pontifical Vespers at the Throne, in the usus antiquior, as part of WYD in Sydney. The Vespers will be celebrated on Wednesday July 16 at 4.00pm, at St. Augustine’s church, 3 Jane Street, Balmain. The Vespers will be followed by Pontifical Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Other prelates and clergy are expected to attend in choir, including Bishop Basil Meeking, Ecclesiastical patron of Juventutem Australia, Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett of Lismore etc. The Vespers and Benediction will be filmed by EWTN for subsequent broadcast on ‘Life on the Rock’. This will include an EWTN interview with Cardinal Pell. Prior to this at 2.00pm, Scott Turkington will be holding another official WYD event – a 90 min chant workshop for Juventutem and other WYD pilgrims called “A Chant Event.” After Vespers, in the evening at St Augustine’s, Francis Cardinal George of Chicago will be leading a Rosary Vigil for the Holy Father’s intentions (20 decades of the Rosary) as well giving a short homily on each set of Mysteries. Everyone is welcome to attend any of these events on Wed, July 16 at St. Augustines. The easiest way to get there from the city is by ferry from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour – full details are on the Juventutem Australia website at http://www.juventutem-australia.com

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Ex-gangster to speak at vigil Mass

From the Catholic News Service:

LONDON (CNS) — An ex-gangster who once almost beat a man to death with a pair of knuckle-dusters said he’s planning to tell Pope Benedict XVI how “God’s love” inspired him to turn his back on a life of crime. John Pridmore, 44, a former “enforcer” in the London gangland scene in the 1980s and ’90s, will speak at the World Youth Day evening vigil Mass at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, July 19. The pope will be there when the former criminal speaks for 10 minutes on how discovering God changed his life dramatically. Pridmore told Catholic News Service July 1 in a phone interview from Sydney that he considered the opportunity an honor. “With the Holy Father being the voice of Christ on earth, it is a privilege to be at an event that he is attending let alone to be on the same platform that he will be speaking from,” he said.

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Bl. Pier Frassati arrives in Australia

From WYD organizers:

SYDNEY, Australia (WYD) — Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati has arrived in Sydney for World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08) – the first time his body has left Turin, Italy since his death in 1925.

The charismatic Blessed Pier Giorgio is revered for his social activism, sporty nature, sense of humour and generous spirit.

The body of Blessed Pier Giorgio is placed in a closed zinc-lined coffin. It arrived at St Benedict’s Church at Notre Dame University Broadway today, where it will remain until 10 July.

Evolution debate to occur in Sydney

From the Catholic News Agency:

SYDNEY, Australia (CNA) — The organizers of World Youth Day 2008, which will be held July 15-20 in Sydney, are preparing a debate on creation and evolution which will be moderated by Cardinal Cristoph Schönborn of Vienna.

WYD Coordinator and Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney said, “This is a time for the youth of the world to come together and discuss the critical challenges and issues facing society today.” Other issues to be discussed include the correct meaning of sexuality, the millennium objectives, the true role and identity of women, among others.

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Combating poverty on pope’s WYD agenda

From the Catholic News Service:

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI’s message for World Peace Day 2009 will focus on the connection between poverty and a lack of peace in the world, the Vatican said.

Poverty and malnutrition are signs that too many people have ignored the obligation to promote the common good, a commitment that is essential for promoting peace, said the Vatican’s July 1 statement.

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WYD sets up ‘Catholic Facebook’

From the Catholic News Service:

SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) — Sydney Cardinal George Pell and Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher, the World Youth Day coordinator, launched the first exclusive World Youth Day social networking Web site to connect pilgrims around the globe. The Web site — www.Xt3.com — was launched June 12 in Sydney with 100 young people whom Cardinal Pell and Bishop Fisher invited to be their online friends. Bishop Fisher said the Web site’s name stands for “Christ in the Third Millennium,” and is inspired by Pope John Paul II who spoke of young people’s special task to bring the message of Christ to the world. “It is hoped that Xt3 users will continue to connect after World Youth Day in July, to build upon friendships made and continue dialogue about what it means to be a young person of faith,” he said. Xt3.com is the brainchild of two brothers, John and Robert Toone, and Chris Purslow who will continue to promote the site with the Archdiocese of Sydney after World Youth Day July 15-20.

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Welcome!

Dear readers,

Welcome to the on-going coverage of World Youth Day 2008. The Catholic Herald has set up this blog to keep the Diocese of Madison informed and intouch with the 75 pilgrims traveling to Australia to celebrate their Catholic faith. Check often for news and updates from seminarian and CH intern Ben Emmel.