World Youth Day
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.
WYD08 Events
The official World Youth Day program contains a week-long program of events.
Tuesday 15 July 2008
4.30pm-6.30pm Opening Mass celebrated by Cardinal George Pell at Barangaroo
Youth Festival events
Opening Mass
The Opening Mass is the first major event of the week, formally celebrating the opening of WYD08.
It will be presided over by Cardinal George Pell, with all the bishops of the world, followed by Youth Festival events.
The Opening Mass and welcome concert will be celebrated at Barangaroo,
which is the actual Mass location. Sydneysiders who haven't registered can go to Barangaroo
or watch the Mass live on screen at a number of other venues in the city, including the Domain,
Sydney Opera House and Darling Harbour. Pre mass entertainment commences at 3pm
The Mass will be followed by Youth Festival events around the city, concluding around 10.00pm.
A much-anticipated feature of the Mass will be the arrival of the WYD Cross and Icon, after
an amazing journey inspiring and renewing the faith of Catholic youth throughout Australia and the world.
Wednesday 16 July
9.00am-12.00pm Catechesis (teaching) sessions at over 250 locations across Sydney (for registered pilgrims only)
Youth Festival events
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Thursday 17 July 2008
9.00am-12.00pm Catechesis (teaching) sessions at over 250 locations across Sydney (for registered pilgrims)
2.45pm Papal Boat-a-cade on Sydney Harbour
3.30pm-4.30pm Papal Arrival at Barangaroo
4.30pm-5.30pm Papal Motorcade through Sydney CBD streets
Youth Festival events
Friday 18 July 2008
9.00am-12.00pm Catechesis (teaching) sessions at over 250 locations across Sydney (for registered pilgrims)
3.00-6.00pm Stations of the Cross - a re-enactment of the last moments of Jesus' life: St Mary's Cathedral,
Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Domain
Youth Festival events
Saturday 19 July 2008
From 5.30am Pilgrimage walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Randwick Racecourse (for registered pilgrims)
7.00pm-9.00pm Evening Vigil with the Pope and sleep out under the stars at Southern Cross Precinct
(Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park)
Sunday 20 July 2008
9am, Papal flyover and motorcade through Southern Cross Precinct (Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park)
10am, Final Mass celebrated by the Pope, Southern Cross Precinct (Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park)
* 12.30pm-5pm Youth Festival events at Southern Cross Precinct (Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park)
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