Posted: 07.21.08
CNS | PAUL HARING
Pope Benedict XVI holds up a monstrance containing the Eucharist during the World Youth Day vigil at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, July 19.
SYDNEY | As more than 200,000 pilgrims made their way on foot July 19 from North Sydney to Randwick Racecourse a few miles away for a day of bonding, a candlelight vigil with Pope Benedict XVI, a campout and, in the morning, the final Mass of World Youth Day, the Holy Father did some bonding of his own — with seminarians and young religious people, then with Australia’s bishops.
“Dear young seminarians and religious, you yourselves will become living altars, where Christ’s sacrificial love is made present as an inspiration and a source of spiritual nourishment to everyone you meet,” Pope Benedict told the seminarians and young sisters and brothers during a morning special service to dedicate a new altar at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
The pope departed from his official homily to deliver an apology to the victims of sexual abuse by clergy in Australia. “Indeed, I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured, and I assure them that as their pastor, I too share in their suffering,” he said.
Following the Mass, the pope lunched with 50 current and retired Australian bishops in St Mary’s Cathedral House. (More than 350 cardinals and bishops from overseas simultaneously were enjoying a lunch hosted by the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell.)
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of pilgrims had already made their way across the Sydney Harbour Bridge by lunchtime as part of the Pilgrimage Walk from North Sydney to the racetrack in Southern Cross Precinct for the daylong youth festival and evening vigil. Many had earlier in the day received the pope’s daily text message: “Dear friend, u must be holy & u must be missionary: never separate holiness from mission – BXVI.”
Dario Mobini, a pilgrim from the Diocese of Venice reporting on World Youth Day for the Florida Catholic, was touched as the huge crowd amassed and people began introducing themselves to their neighbors.
“It’s amazing to think we were all gathered in Sydney to share our common faith and to practice it freely together as one body. The mystery of the church really starts to make perfect sense,” he said.
Performers including Bronx rapper Father Stan Fortuna and popular Christian artist Matt Maher entertained from noon until the 7 p.m. start of the two–hour vigil. The Holy Father presided over the presentation of liturgy and music, which focused on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and included Eucharistic adoration.
The pope called on the young faithful to hear Christ’s great promise and pray together, as his Apostles did.
“Tonight, we do the same. Gathered before our much–traveled (World Youth Day) Cross and the Icon of Mary and under the magnificent constellation of the Southern Cross, we pray,” he said. “We recall our parents and grandparents who walked alongside us when we, as children, were taking our first steps in our pilgrim journey of faith. Now many years later, you have gathered as young adults with the Successor of Peter. I am filled with deep joy to be with you.”
Cara Catalfumo, a pilgrim from the Diocese of Palm Beach also reporting for the Florida Catholic, said: “It was so awesome! All quarter million of my nearest and dearest Catholic friends sat silent as the pope spoke.”
The pope departed by helicopter and planned to return at 9 a.m. the next day for the 10 a.m. final Mass, leaving the pilgrims to sleep — or not — in the chilly weather under the stars.
“After the vigil, the crowd divided to those wrapped in sleeping bags attempting to stay warm and sleep, and those excited and walking through the walkways, dancing, singing and waving flags,” reported Catalfumo.
Compiled in Orlando by Denise O’Toole Kelly of the Florida Catholic staff from press releases, pilgrim reporter dispatches, media reports and other sources.
