World Youth Day 2016 – Day Nine

Pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2016, Krakow, Poland

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.


Krakow and Homily of World Youth Day Opening Mass

World Youth Day celebrations began with the Opening Mass said by Krakow Metropolitan Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz. The Mass emphasised the culture of the host country, Poland!

To read the homily from the Mass click here: http://parrawyd.org/homilycardinalstanislawdziwisz/

Over the next three days, pilgrims will take part in morning catechesis with Bishops from around the world and have the opportunity to encounter the Vocations Fair and the Youth Festival program.

Catechesis is preached in different languages by Bishops from around the world who will teach and reflect with pilgrims on the beatitude; “Blessed are the merciful; for they shall receive mercy.” (Mt 5:7), the theme chosen by the Holy Father for the XXXI World Youth Day in Krakow. Catechesis sessions will take place across the city in churches and other chosen venues to ensure that all young people can participate.

Laura, a pilgrim from the Diocese of Parramatta asked Cardinal Dolan a question during his catechsis talk. Click here to see what Laura asked: http://parrawyd.org/questiontocardinaldolan/

The Youth Festival, a religious, artistic and cultural program takes place in the afternoons and evenings during the three days of catechesis, except during the main events. The Youth Festival is composed of open and free initiatives of an artistic, religious and spiritual character. This aspect of WYD gives pilgrims an opportunity to participate in concerts, exhibitions, workshops, sporting events, theatre events and many other activities.

The Vocations Fair/Centre is a place where religious congregations, Catholic schools and universities, religious publishing houses, missionary organisations, national and international movements and communities can present their charism and works. The Vocations Centre’s goal is to show young pilgrims different paths of achieving their vocation in the Church, and to encourage them to look for answers to the question of what God wants from them in their lives.


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

For day eight, click here.

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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