World Youth Day
WYD Cross & Icon
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What are the WYD Cross and Icon?
The 3.8 metre high wooden cross was built and placed as a symbol of the faith, near the main altar in St Peter's Basilica during 1983. At the end of the year, Pope John Paul gave this cross as a symbol of Christ's love for humanity: “My dear young people, at the conclusion of the Holy Year, I entrust to you the sign of this Jubilee Year: the Cross of Christ! Carry it throughout the world as a symbol of Christ's love for humanity, and announce to everyone that only in the death and resurrection of Christ can we find salvation and redemption” (His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Rome, 22 April 1984).
The Journey of the WYD Cross...
Since 1984 the WYD Cross has made its way around the world, throughout Europe, behind the Iron Curtain, and to parts of the Americas, Asia, Africa and briefly to Australia, being present at each international celebration of World Youth Day along the way. The media have often called the Cross the "Olympic Torch" of World Youth Day! In each country that the Cross visits, it travels from cities to towns, parishes to prayer groups. Young people take charge of it, spend time in prayer with it, and encourage their peers to do the same.
...and Icon of Our Lady
In 2003, Pope John Paul II gave young people a second symbol of faith to be carried in the world, accompanying the WYD Cross - the Icon of Our Lady, 'Salus Populi Romani', a contemporary copy of a sacred and ancient icon housed in the first and greatest basilica to Mary the Mother of God in the West, St Mary Major: “Today I also entrust to you... the Icon of Mary. From now on it will accompany the World Youth Days, together with the Cross. Behold, your Mother! It will be a sign of Mary's motherly presence close to young people who are called, like the Apostle John, to welcome her into their lives” (Rome, 18th World Youth Day, 2003).
What’s going on in Bendigo?
The WYD Cross and Icon will be with us in Bendigo for two days (March 13-14). A number of events are planned (see overleaf) so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to “encounter” the Cross and Icon. All parishioners and friends are invited to attend the events and spend some time in prayer…for a few moments, or a few hours. Some people may wish to travel with the Cross throughout its whole journey. Others may choose to drop in for only one event. Whatever your preference, we encourage you to make the most of this wonderful opportunity.
And World Youth Day?
Our preparations here in Bendigo are well underway for the big World Youth Day events. You may have heard that we’re hosting a group of 300 pilgrims from Germany for the “Days in the Diocese”, which is the week before World Youth Day. We’ll be looking for billets shortly, so please consider this important ministry. It looks like there’ll be about 150 young people from our Bendigo Region parishes going to World Youth Day – we’ll keep you informed of how things are going and how you too can get involved closer to the event. In the mean-time, keep us in your prayers and get ready for the arrival of the Cross and Icon – it promises to be a very prayerful and exciting time for the Catholic community of Bendigo. Enquiries about WYD registrations can be forwarded to kfogarty@ccb.vic.edu.au
Thursday 13th March
Event |
What will happen? |
When & Where? |
Official welcome of the Cross and Icon to Bendigo. |
The Bishop, Religious & Indigenous Leaders and Civil dignitaries will welcome the Cross and Icon to the Bendigo Region. A Liturgy, speeches and musical performance. |
Lake Weeroona precinct, |
Primary Schools walk to St Peter’s P.S. |
Grade six students from the Catholic Primary Schools of the Bendigo Region will carry the Cross and Icon in relay to St Peter’s. |
10.45am-12pm. |
Primary Schools Encounter at St Peter’s. |
Grade six students from the Catholic Primary Schools of the Bendigo Region will gather for a Reconciliation Liturgy at St Peter’s. |
12pm Liturgy at St Peter’s for Primary School students. |
University Encounter: Stations of the Cross at LaTrobe University |
Students and staff from LaTrobe University have prepared Stations of the Cross with a Justice focus. |
2.30 – 3.45pm, Fountain Courtyard. |
Parishes of Bendigo Region Pilgrimage |
Each Parish has been assigned a section of the Pilgrimage (from the University to St Kilians) to “Carry the Cross”. Everyone is invited to take a turn at “carrying the Cross”, in a public declaration of our faith. |
4pm: leave the University |
Bendigo Region Family Mass & encounter with the Cross and Icon |
Mass, celebrated by Bishop Joe for the whole Bendigo Catholic community. |
6.15pm in the grounds of St Kilians Church. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on. |
Loaves & Fishes Meal! |
Bring a meal & a dessert to share. Drinks for sale to raise money to support WYD pilgrims. |
7.15pm Grounds of St Kilians Church. Entertainment & time to catch up and/or meet new friends… |
Adoration of the Cross/Icon |
Quiet prayer with the Cross |
9pm-10.30pm, St Kilians. |
Friday 14th March
Event |
What will happen? |
When & Where? |
Morning Mass & Adoration of the Cross/Icon. |
Mass & then quiet prayer time. |
St Kilians, 7.30am- 9am. |
Catholic College Bendigo Encounter |
A public pilgrimage through the streets of the city, pausing for prayer for the needs of our world at places of significance to the Bendigo community. |
Leaves St Kilians at 9.15am. Destinations: Chinese Precinct, Roslyn Park, Town Hall, War Memorial, Coolock, conclude at the Cathedral at 12.30pm. |
Sandhurst Schools Encounter |
Mass at the Cathedral for representatives of all Sandhurst Catholic Schools. |
1.30pm |
Communal Prayer and Adoration of the Cross/Icon. |
Parishes will each lead 30 minutes of prayer with the Cross and Icon (Taize, Rosary etc). |
3pm – 6.30pm, Cathedral |
Mass: Including handover of the Cross and Icon to Paramatta |
Mass, celebrated by Bishop Joe. |
7pm, Cathedral |
Private Adoration of the Cross/Icon |
Private Adoration of the Cross/Icon |
8.30pm – midnight. |
