World Youth Day 2008

Remembering World Youth Day 2008

The 23rd World Youth Day was celebrated in Sydney, July 15-20 2008. The festival marked the first WYD held in Oceania.

Nearly 500,000 young people from more than 200 countries took part in that week’s festivities. That number ballooned to more than one million during the weekend. In addition to the youth who attended, WYD08 attracted more than 600 bishops and cardinals as well as 6,600 reporters from around the world. Pope Benedict’s attendance was a major draw card.

Fr Chris Ryan MGL was the coordinator of the Journey of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon in 2007-2008, leading up to the main event in Sydney. He penned a reflection on his experience of WYD08 on the Office for Youth website.

“As I remember the preparations and the events of WYD08 I am grateful for the young people whose life the Holy Spirit touched, and who have gone on to take up the mission of Jesus Christ in countless ways,” Fr Ryan said.

“I think of young people who, from their involvement in WYD08 have gone to serve as youth ministers, priests, consecrated sisters, worked in the media to communicate the Gospel of the Church’s teaching, become leaders in the Church’s ministry to families and in the service of life … the list could go on.

“I am filled with gratitude when I remember these World Youth Day gifts to our Church. In fact, it is vital to remember these gifts if we are to look forward to the future with confidence.”

The next World Youth Day will be held in Panama next year.

FULL STORY

World Youth Day: 10 years on (MNnews.today)

WYD08 ten years on (Office for Youth)

 

About WYD08

World Youth Day (WYD) is the largest youth event in the world and will be held in Sydney from Tuesday 15 to Sunday 20 July 2008.

Organised by the Catholic Church, WYD brings together young people from around the globe to celebrate and learn about their faith on a more regular basis.

WYD08 will be the largest event Australia has ever hosted. It will attract over 125,000 international visitors – more than the 2000 Olympics.

WYD08 will mark the first visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Australia.

Through the WYD08 experience, young people from throughout the world will make a pilgrimage in faith, meet, and experience the love of God.

World Youth Day is an invitation from the Pope to the youth of the world to celebrate their faith around a particular theme. Everyone is welcome to attend.

 

Theme for WYD08

pope12_largeWorld Youth Day is an invitation from the Pope to the youth of the world to celebrate their faith around a particular theme. The WYD08 theme, received from Pope Benedict XVI is:

‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.’ Acts 1:8

This passage occurs after the death and resurrection of Jesus, just before his ascension to the Father. It represents the birth of the Church.

Key WYD08 Statistics

  • Up to 225,000 registered pilgrims are expected to take part in WYD08 events each day, including 125,000 international visitors.
  • 100,000 Australian pilgrims are expected, including 40,000 from greater Sydney
  • An estimated 8,000 volunteers will assist
  • An estimated 2,000 clergy will be present
  • An estimated 700 Cardinals and Bishops will be present
  • Between 3,000 – 5,000 media are expected to cover the event
  • 3.5 million meals will be served to pilgrims
  • 100,000 will sleep in 700 schools and parishes
  • Up to 40,000 will be billeted as part of the HomeStay program
  • Approximately 20,000 will stay in Sydney hotels. The remainder will make their own arrangements.
  • Up to 500,000 people are expected to attend the Final Mass at Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park (which is open to all)
  • The four official WYD08 languages are: English, French, Italian and Spanish
    WYD08 logo

The logo distils the essence of the theme for WYD08 and highlights the promise made by Jesus to set fire upon the Earth by the power of the Holy Spirit which inspires the pilgrims who come to Australia, to believe and witness to Him.

Central to the logo is the Cross raised in victory, representing Christ and the life of witness which the Holy Spirit enables. It is the passion of the heart of Christ, poured out into the world from the Cross, which consumes the young people of Sydney, of Australia and of the world. The whiteness of the Cross indicates that Jesus is the light of the world.

The flames of the logo represent the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in tongues of fire. They evoke the Sacrament of Confirmation and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The colours of red, orange and yellow flowing throughout symbolise the Trinity and Unity of God. They also bring to mind the colours of the Australian outback.

The blue of the logo represents the oceans that surround Australia, the waters of Baptism, the sea of humanity and Mary, full of grace.

The Opera House is the symbol of Sydney, the host city for WYD08.

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