We 19 pilgrims returned last Monday after an amazing WYD experience. Our (very cold and wintry) Australian days began with catechesis by a bishop or cardinal at a local Catholic church in Sydney. Activities filled the afternoon with special Masses and other liturgical gatherings. We traversed the city on foot and public transportation as we visited the many venues that facilitated all of the celebrations. We reveled in meeting Catholics from literally every corner of the world. Over 225,000 young people from places as diverse as the Sudan and Scandinavia, Latin America and China, all met to celebrate the faith that makes us all one. 27,000 youth were from the United States, the country with the largest single number of representatives. The highlight, of course, was the arrival of the Holy Father and his presence with us throughout the week. The culmination of WYD was the final Mass on Sunday the 20th as 400,000 people gathered at Randwick Park in the middle of the city, the largest gathering of any kind in the history of Australia! Thank You Incarnation parishioners for your support!
INTERESTING FACTS:
100,000 Australians took part in WYD including 40,000
from greater Sydney
8000 volunteers assisted in facilitating all of the
activities.
2000 clergy, 500 cardinals & bishops were present.
3000 media covered the events.
3.5 million meals were served to pilgrims.
100,000 youth slept in 400 schools and parishes.
20,000 stayed in Sydney hotels; the remainder made their
own arrangements.
Thank you to Fr.Paul and Michele Hansen for the pictures.