(ANS - Honiara) - The Cross and the Icon of the Mother of God, symbols of the great youth event the World Youth Day (WYD), have arrived in the Solomon Islands, a stage on their pilgrimage through Oceania and Australia towards their final destination in Sydney where WYD 2008 is to held.
As "Catholic Communications Solomons" report, the cross and the icon of the Madonna will be received by different parishes in the various dioceses of the country; the faithful will be able to take part in prayer vigils and different groups of young people will be accompanying the symbols of the WYD throughout their pilgrimage.
The stage in the diocese of Gizo, programmed for Sunday 15 April, will give the people affected by the tsunami that recenty hit the island an opportunity to venerate the cross, pray for their dear ones and find some comfort.
The organisers of the WYD who are following the pilgrimage of the two symbols have been very enthusiastic about the response so far. "The journey of the Cross and Icon is an invitation to the people of Asia and Oceania to join us in Sydney to celebrate World Youth Day with his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. The journey of the Cross and Icon will inspire young people from the region to make the pilgrimage to Sydney....we know that for many young people [of the region] this is their best opportunity to attend a World Youth Day and share in it powerful message," Bishop Anthony Fisher, the auxiliary bishop of Sydney and coordinator of the WYD said.
To help those in developing countries, programmes are being prepared to help with the cost of travelling to Australia and taking part in the 2008 WYD. Further information can be found on the site
www.wyd2008.org.
Published 12/04/2007
