World Youth Day 2016 – Day Eight

Pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2016, Krakow, Poland
Pilgrims celebrate Mass at KALWARIA ZEBRZYDOWSKA

The Very Rev Christopher de Souza VG EV PP our Vicar General and Episcopal Vicar for Education and Formation is leading pilgrims from the Diocese of Parramatta to World Youth Day 2016 (WYD).

WYD 2016 will be a pilgrimage to Krakow, Poland for a week-long festival of faith with millions of youth from around the world joining Pope Francis for an encounter with Jesus.

WYD is a part of a tradition initiated by the late Pope John Paul II (now St John Paul) for the Church to be with the youth, for the youth. Pope John Paul II described World Youth Day’s objective as: “…to make the person of Jesus the centre of the faith and life of every young person so that He may be their constant point of reference and also the inspiration of every initiative and commitment for the education of the new generations.”

2016 will be a very special WYD. Krakow is where the founder, Pope John Paul II, studied and was Archbishop.

The Diocese of Parramatta WYD Communications Team will be capturing stories during WYD 2016. You can follow the pilgrimage below.


EXCURSION TO AUSCHWITZ & KALWARIA ZEBRZYDOWSKA

Fr Peter James Strohmayer OSPPE, Provincial Administrator and Assistant Priest at St Margaret Mary’s Parish in Merrylands updates us as the pilgrims travel to Auschwitz and visit the remains of the former concentration camp as well as the Martyrdom Museum and St Maximilian Kolbe’s cell.

He also fills us in as the the pilgrims celebrate Mass at KALWARIA ZEBRZYDOWSKA, one of Poland’s most famous shrines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which played a pivotal role in the Pope’s spiritual life.

The Calvary Sanctuary was established in the 1600’s for pilgrims as a substitute for Jerusalem. It has grown to be the biggest shrine grounds of its type in Europe, with 42 churches and chapels of all shapes and sizes scattered on the slopes of Zar Mountain. The central basilica and Franciscan monastery still welcome pilgrims from all over the world today.

Pilgrimage 1 & 2 are now combined. For more frequent updates and photos check out the CYP Facebook page

For day seven, click here.

For day six, click here.

For day five, click here.

For day four, click here.

For day three, click here.

For day two, click here.

For day one, click here.


The Diocese of Parramatta will be a hosting a special WYD event in Greystanes on July 31.

Bishop Vincent will be celebrating Mass at 6pm, followed by a live stream at 7pm of the closing Mass with Pope Francis.

For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1021738987863548/

Essential details

  • 31 July, 6pm-9pm
  • Our Lady Queen of Peace, Greystanes
  • 6pm – Special WYD Mass with Bishop Vincent
  • 7pm – Food, live stream to the Closing Mass with Pope Francis, testimonies from past pilgrims, great music, Filipino and Polish flavours all round and video messages from our pilgrims in Krakow

Our friends at the Archdiocese of Sydney are also covering World Youth Day. You can keep track of their coverage below:

From the 27th to the 31st July the main events of World Youth Day 2016 (including the Australian Gathering) will be streamed on the Archdiocese of Sydney Catholic youth website www.Xt3.com

There will be a live online chat portal during the WYD main events and viewers can join the global conversation whilst they watch.

Visit www.xt3.com/live for all the webcast times and details.

Xt3.com also has a National WYD Blog with updates from pilgrims around Australia. Visit: www.xt3.com/wyd2016blog

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