G'day mates

For the past year, an electronic clock outside Saint Mary's Cathedral here in Sydney has been counting down the days until the World Youth Day festivities would begin. Finally this morning, the clock struck G'day as Sydneysiders (as the locals refer to themselves around here) saw 200,000 young people converge on the downtown area, including the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, the famous Rocks neighbourhood and the East Darling Harbour development which has been dubbed as Barangaroo.

The city of Sydney has been tranformed over these past few days. The business district, which like most other cosmopolitan cities is known for highrises, rushing pedestrians and seemingly unending traffic now has an added element of foreign youth to contend with. Sydney is no stranger to visitors; only eight years ago, they hosted the summer Olympics, but the WYD festival will make the Olympic organizational efforts pale by comparison.

Priests and pilgrims alike who arrived from all points of the globe, by aircraft, by bus, by boat or by any other means had to complete the registration and accreditation process this morning, then make their way to Barangaroo, located just west of the famous Rocks neighbourhood, on the southern shores of Sydney harbour. There, the outdoor site of the opening Mass had been constructed on a piece of land that apparently will be completely overhauled in the coming months to make room for some refurbished condominiums, perfect for the yuppie crowd.

At 1:00 pm, pilgrims began arriving at Barangaroo, and by 2:30, theare was teaming with life. Flags of almost every nation on earth were flying in the wind while sounds of laughter, song and youthful energy combined to create the traditional gathering which stretches across international borders, language barriers and deep into the hearts of the most fearful to invite all participants to follow Christ.

From 3:30 pm until just after 4:00 pm, a series of young Australians who had attended various WYD experiences since the inception of this pastoral outreach were invited to share some of the ways that this youth festival has changed their lives. Video presentations of images from the various WYD encounters also helped to recall all the miracles which have taken place, and the many thousands of lives which have been affected so profoundly by the WYD experience.

At roughly 4:15 pm, a group of aboriginals from various parts of Australia were invited to prepare the gathered pilgrims for the celebration of this opening liturgy. Singing a traditional song of welcome and with a variety of dances, they added a very unique flavor to this celebration down under.

The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Kevin Rudd, presented greetings and welcomed all the pilgrims, explaining that they are signs of spring within the Australian winter. He wished them all a week of fruitful encounter and a warm Sydneysider welcome.

Various interesting elements were added including a combined presentation of the book of gospels by an aglo-saxon Australian and by one of the Aussie aboriginals who processed together, holding the book until they reached the deacon who accepted it at the foot of the sanctuary and proceeded to the pulpit for the proclamation of the gospel.

In his homily, George Cardinal Pell reminded the gathered pilgrims that although many of them might have come to Australia feeling as though their faith was nothing but dry bones (Ez 37:1-14), Christ the good shepherd never leaves his flock untended. In fact he comes after the lost, seeking us out and bringing us back to himself (Psalm 22). With the power of the Holy Spirit's gifts to help us (Gal 5:16-17, 22-25), we can all find hope in the promise of the Lord who sows the seed of his word in our hearts (Lk 8:4-18) and who has the power to deepen our faith at times despite our own efforts. He then encouraged the young people to take advatage of this week to open their hearts to the love of God who awaits us all and who wants to bring us closer to himself.

At the conclusion of the Opening Mass, pilgrims were invited to remain at Barangaroo for the Opening concert which featured various local talent. The concert concluded at 10:00 pm local time with an amazing display of pyrotechnics over the Sydney harbour.

Beginning tomorrow morning, pilgrims will be invited to gather in various locations throughout the city for catechesis sessions (9:00 am to 12:00 noon) and then to participate in a variety of Youth Festival events which will continue each evening until 10:00 pm. The Vocation pavillion located in Hyde Park and the various locations for the celebration of Reconciliation with the WYD pilgrims will also be important places for some of most profound God moments this week.