The unexpected happened! Last night, I found out that I was going to be part of the Salt + Light crew on the papal boat (it was me, Wally, and Sebastien). This morning, I was told that we’d be positioned on the top deck with the over 200 pilgrims chosen to be in the papal ...read more

Today I met Pope Benedict XVI. The occasion was the boatacade to the Barangaroo site in Sydney Harbour, where 150,000 pilgrims waited to welcome him to World Youth Day. Some 350,000 others were along the shores en route. Eleven members of the International Liturgy Group were granted the opportunity to speak with the Pope, each ...read more

[Pope Benedict was officially greeted by the Australian government on Thursday, July 17th. Dignitaries included Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Major General Michael Jeffery. The following is the Holy Father’s address from the welcome ceremony, held at Sydney’s Government House.] Your Excellencies, Dear Australian Friends, It is ...read more

Today there was no major papal event, so we were able to take this time and have some of the regular pilgrim experience – just participate! Catechesis sessions and the Youth Festival started today, and it’s been my most enjoyable day so far. For the catechesis sessions on the Holy Spirit, Pedro and I decided ...read more

Today I went to the tomb of a saint – well, she is still “just” a blessed, but she’s the first Australian to be elevated to sainthood. She’s a hero for Australians, and she has been chosen as one of the patron saints of World Youth Day 2008. Her name is Mary MacKillop. Beatified by ...read more

Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 23. Gal. 5:16-17, 22-25; Lk. 8:4-15 We all know that Christ Our Lord is often described as the Good Shepherd of today’s responsorial psalm. We are told that he leads us near restful waters, revives our flagging spirits, enables us to rest peacefully. In developing this image on one occasion, Jesus explained ...read more

That’s how International Liturgy Group leader Eden d’Souza described participating in the WYD Opening Mass procession. Carrying the Canadian flag, I too shared the experience of walking through the gate into the roaring crowd. I can tell you that it was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life, not to mention one of ...read more

Do you know that Australia was first named the “Southern Land of the Holy Spirit”? In fact, that’s what Australia means: “Southern Land” – Austral is southern. Boreal is northern. Learn something new everyday. Is it any coincidence that the theme for this year’s international World Youth Day, hosted in Sydney, Australia is from Acts ...read more

One of the great things about World Youth Day, which I’m discovering, is that you get to connect with people again. Among the memorable people are Gillian Kantor and her husband David. We were able to have lunch and dinner with them despite their excruciatingly busy WYD schedule. They have been working as volunteers in ...read more

Pope Benedict has landed in Australia over the weekend (that’s him pictured with Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, behind him) for a little rest and relaxation before be joins the World Youth Day events on Thursday, July 17th. In the meantime, Pope Benedict sent a message ...read more