PLEASE CONTACT THE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT OFFICE, MICHAEL LOFLIN AT 734-1625 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Welcome World Youth Day Pilgrims

World Youth Day Sydney Australia 2008

The Archdiocese of San Antonio is in the process of organizing a Pilgrimage to World Youth Day to be held in Sydney Australia in July 5 - 24, 2008.  World Youth Day (WYD) is an amazing weeklong spiritual journey where pilgrims from all over the world unite to share their faith. The week includes prayer, song, concerts, drama, sharing, liturgy, catechesis, and an unforgettable vigil and closing mass with the Holy Father.

In 1984 and again in 1985, Pope John Paul II invited young people from all over the world to participate at what was then called “International Youth Meeting on the occasion of International Youth Year.”  These “International Youth Meetings” were held in Rome during the week leading up to Palm Sunday.  On Palm Sunday 1985, Pope John Paul II addresses an Apostolic Letter to the youth of the world and his closing words reiterated the message of the Second Vatican Council which says that young people are "the hope of the Church."  In 1985 on December 20^th, Pope John Paul II announces the institution of World Youth Day.  Some of us who were present to hear Pope John Paul II read the Apostolic Letter to the youth of the world in 1985 feel we were present at the very first World Youth Day  even though the first “official” event was held on Palm Sunday 1986. 

The date of the first event is not important.  What is important is that Pope John Paul II recognized the importance of the youth by establishing the institution of World Youth Day.  What began in Rome with approximately 120,000 youth has since been held in many different cities all over the world including the Denver, Colorado (USA) in 1993(500,000 youth¹), Manila, Philippines in 1995 (4,000,000 youth¹), Rome, Italy in 2000 (2,000,000 youth¹), Toronto, Canada in 2002 (800,000 youth¹), and Cologne, Germany in 2005 (1,000,000 youth¹).  In 2008 Sydney, Australia will host the XXIII World Youth Day and initial expectations predict that at least 500,000 youth are getting ready to make the pilgrimage.

The Theme for WYD 2008 is taken from Acts 1:8, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses." A Pilgrimage is so much more than a vacation or a tour.  It involves preparation, sacrifice, purposeful reflection, communal living and sharing, and a heart open to being formed by the Spirit of God, and its benefits continue long after the trip is over.  It can be exciting and life changing. 

Right now, the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of San Antonio is planning our Archdiocesan WYD 2008 pilgrimage.  If you are planning to form a group at your parish or school to attend World Youth Day in Sydney, we would love to hear your ideas so that we can make our pilgrimage the best one possible for the whole Archdiocesan community.  World Youth Day is designed for young people ages 18-35.  Because of the expense of the journey, we must begin planning and fund raising now as the event is just over a year away.  Youth events preparing for World Youth Day could be celebrated throughout the Archdiocese leading up to July 2008 and all ages would be invited to participate.  We will keep you informed of our WYD plans.  Please contact the Youth and Young Adult Office, Michael Loflin at 734-1625 for more information, let us know that you are interested in participating, and share your ideas to make our participation better. FYI, the official World Youth Day 2008 website is www.wyd2008.org.

¹ USCCB-(World Youth Day)-Overview of WYD, http://www.nccbuscc.org/laity/youth/wydoverview.shtml, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Viewed 25 Jan 2007