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Half a world away from Illinois, at least 24 young people and their chaperones from several parishes in this diocese are on a pilgrimage to Sydney, Australia, for World Youth Day 2008.
World Youth Day is a phenomenon on several levels. Instituted by Pope John Paul II during the 1980s, it has become the largest gathering of youth in the world. Although WYD is celebrated every year on a diocesan level, Pope John Paul II and now Pope Benedict XVI designate a world-wide gathering every two or three years for young people to meet with their pontiff for prayer, song, celebration and zeal for the Catholic faith.
This year, organizers in Sydney expect over 125,000 visitors - more than the number of visitors to the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. The event will officially begin Tuesday with an opening Mass celebrated by Sydney's Cardinal George Pell at Barangaroo near Sydney, with Pope Benedict arriving there on Thursday. The packed schedule includes plenty of opportunities for young pilgrims to pray, learn more about their faith and meet fellow Catholics from around the world.
Carrying on WYD custom, pilgrims will keep an overnight vigil with the pope on Saturday, sleeping beneath the stars at the famous Randwick Racecourse, and celebrating the final Mass there the next morning.
It will be an unforgettable experience for these pilgrims - and one we can help them with.
Last week, Pope Benedict invited Catholics around the world to pray for the young people who will gather with him in Sydney. He even authorized a special indulgence for anyone with a contrite spirit who raises "a prayer to God, the Holy Spirit, so that young people are drawn to charity and given the strength to proclaim the Gospel with their life."
"I invite the entire church to feel like participants in this new stage of the great youth pilgrimage throughout the world begun in 1985 by the servant of God John Paul II," the pope said.
To those who will gather with him in Sydney, the pope has offered a plenary, or full indulgence, provided they go to confession, receive the Eucharist and offer prayers for the papal intentions.
This week, please join the Catholic world in praying for our Holy Father and for all the young people and their chaperones who will be with him in Sydney. Pray especially for Father Chris Brey and Father Daren Zehnle, and the young people and their adult leaders from St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Effingham, St. Charles Borromeo in Casey, St. Mary in Marshall, Christ the King in Greenup and Annunciation in Shumway. Also pray for a group from Our Lady Queen of Peace in Bethalto, traveling with the Archdiocese of St. Louis. We will pray for them and hope that they, along with young people from around the world, will be praying for us during World Youth Day.
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