Sydney is a great choice
There are many reasons we believe WYD08 in Sydney will be a great experience for everyone participating:

A first for Oceania
Never before has WYD been held in Oceania, and only once has it been held in the southern hemisphere. By being in this region, the Church and her young people throughout this region will be able to participate in and be renewed by WYD in a way never before experienced.
WYD08 will be held in the Land of the Holy Spirit - The first European explorers called Australia "The Southern Land of the Holy Spirit". In Ecclesia in Oceania Pope John Paul II wrote:
"The Church in Oceania has been endowed by the Holy Spirit with many gifts. For all the great diversity of cultures and traditions, she is one in faith, hope and charity, one in Catholic doctrine and discipline, one in the communion of the Most Holy Trinity. In this communion, all are called to live the life of Christ in the midst of their daily activities, to show forth the wonderful fruits of the Spirit (cf. Gal 5:22- 23) and to be witnesses to God's love and mercy in the world." (n36)

Sydney is a great city
In many ways Sydney can be described as 'the capital' of the Oceania region. It is the largest city in the leading country in the region: a country to which many young people would be attracted and which many parents would feel confident to send their children. It is a beautiful city built on a stunning harbour, with a temperate climate and excellent facilities for major events, which were showcased at the 2000 Olympic Games.

Sydney is a city of bridges, beaches and waterways - Sydney is a harbour city with many bridges, including most famously the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Our beaches and waterways are known throughout the world - come and see them for yourself!

Sydney's devotion to Our Lady
St Mary's Cathedral is the spiritual home of Sydney's Catholic community. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney, and stands on the site of the first Catholic Chapel in Australia. Constructed in local sandstone, the "Gothic Revival" style of its architecture is reminiscent of the great medieval cathedrals of Europe. St Mary's is not only a great legacy from the past, however: it is a vital part of the present spiritual and cultural life of the city and the nation. The Cathedral is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Immaculate Mother of God, Help of Christians.

Local Shrines to support pilgrimage
As well as St Mary's Cathedral, there are other shrines that might form pilgrimage walks: Shrine of Blessed Mary Mackillop (our local saint beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995), St Patrick's Church Hill (the site of the earliest Catholic devotions in Australia, where the laity kept alive the faith by praying before the reserved Blessed Sacrament when there were no priests in the convict period), St Patrick's Cathedral Parramatta (the newest Cathedral in the southern hemisphere) and Villa Maria (the place where the body of the protomartyr of Oceania, St Peter Chanel, was laid in state for a week during its journey back to France for burial).

The support of the Church in Australia
George Cardinal Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, is an enthusiast of WYD having attended Rome, Toronto and Cologne. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and the various agencies of the Church in Australia are all willing to collaborate to ensure the success of WYD2008.

Diversity of cultures
Australia is one of the most multicultural societies in the world and Sydney is one of the country's most multicultural cities. Therefore young people from all nations will be welcomed and made to feel at home.

First Papal Visit to Australia
Australians love to welcome our Holy Father to our shores. In past times the Church in Australia has rolled out the welcome mat for Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and can't wait to welcome Pope Benedict XVI in 2008!

To find out more about leading an Adelaide Group to Sydney then click here

To see the World Youth Day 2008 program in detail please click on link below: 

www.wyd2008.org.au/index.php/en/media__1/latest_news/world_youth_day_2008_program_detailed