World Youth Day 2016 – Day Ten

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.


Shrine of Divine Mercy

Diocese of Parramatta pilgrims have joined thousands today who have flocked to the Sanktuarium Bożego Miłosierdzia the Divine Mercy Sanctuary. Pilgrims were able to spend time in prayer and reflection.

The site was the home for St Faustyna (Kowalska). The Polish devotion was popularised by St John Paul II, who had a strong devotion to the Divine Mercy. The convent within the sanctuary is where Sr Faustyna lived, worked and had her apparition of Jesus.

St Faustyna, on the instruction of Jesus, painted an image that now appears in many churches throughout the world – including St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.

Her diary reads “Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and throughout the world.” (Diary 47)

“By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works.” (Diary 742)

The Divine Mercy Chaplet, a prayer of this pilgrimage, and its famous words:

“For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world”.

Tonight, pilgrims will head to Błonia Park for the Papal Welcome and Opening Ceremony for World Youth Day, where crowds of 1,000,000 are expected to attend.

View the photos from today here or on the images below.

28-7-2016 Shrine of Divine Mercy


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

For day nine, click here.

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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