It’s a record in Australia for the largest religious pilgrimage ever to leave Australian shores. A statement from the Bishops Conference says about 2200 young pilgrims from right across the nation will embark on various pilgrimages which ultimately take them to Cologne.
The highlight of the 20th World Youth Day celebrations in Cologne will be the final Mass, presided over by Pope Benedict XVI. During the Mass, the Holy Father will officially announce whether Sydney will host the next World Youth Day in 2008.
Every World Youth Day the Holy Father releases a message for the young people of the world. The message centres on this year theme of the World Youth Day is “We have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2).
Whilst the message is directed to young Catholics, the Pope also calls those young people who are not Catholics or even Christians to come to the World Young Day in Cologne. This international gathering event is for everyone who wants to experience and share God with the other people from different backgrounds and nationalities.
Australian Test Cricketer and World Youth Day Ambassador, Matthew Hayden, wrote an open letter to young people urging more to make the trip to Germany. “For thousands of young people, World Youth Day has been a life changing experience. It is not just a religious event, but the World Youth Day is an opportunity for youth to grow and be challenged on every level, morally, spiritually and culturally,” he said.
The official German World Youth Day ebsite is www.wyd2005.org