Many pilgrims are taking advantage of the global gathering of young people during World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08) to hold large national and community gatherings.
From 12 to 26 July, over 30 gatherings will take place across Sydney with the largest expected to be:
- the multi-nation Neo-Catechumenal Way lay movement at The Domain (up to 25,000)
- the Lebanese Maronite community at Parramatta Stadium (20,000)
- The Italian Scalabrini community at Club Marconi in Bossley Park (15,000) and
- 12,000 from the USA, also in The Domain
An expected 3,000 French will celebrate Bastille Day on 14 July in the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, while 10,000 friends of the Franciscans will meet on Bondi Beach and 8,000 Asian youth will meet in Sydney Olympic Park.
“An international World Youth Day is a chance for pilgrims to hold large celebrations with those who belong to the same religious order or language group who would otherwise not have the chance to meet and share their faith,” said Fr Mark Podesta, WYD08 spokesman.
“Take the Neo-Catechumenal Way for example. They have members in many nations across the world. At WYD08 they can all meet together in one place and celebrate their faith and their particular ‘charism’ with the founder of their movement.
“Or the French might want to celebrate in their own language, inviting French speakers to their gathering from France, Africa and the Pacific, as well as Francophone Australians. The Italians will do the same.
“Whether national or community based, these are a great way for young people to strengthen their faith and meet like-minded people at WYD08.
“Around 142,000 pilgrims will attend one or more of these national and community gatherings.”
The list of large gatherings is found below. For more information visit the WYD08 website: http://www.wyd2008.org/
Sydney will host the 23rd World Youth Day from 15 – 20 July. Hosted by the Catholic Church but open to all, WYD08 will mark the first visit to Australia by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
