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 Getting Ready for Mass: Pilgrims at the Randwick WYD08 Sleepout The Sydney Morning Herald has put together a simple yet good slideshow with audio of the closing Mass. Relive is here; http://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2008/national/world-youth-day-mass/
 WYD08 Official Photos
You can now view the more than 2500 WYD08 photos that eBenedict took during WYD08 on Flickr;
We are still uploading photos as we speak so keep an eye out for more.
 The Papal Farewell to WYD Volunteers iin Sydney 9. 53am Now after shaking hands with cardinals and bishops, including Bishop Anthony Fisher O.P., Benedict XVI mounts the stairs and enters the Qantas plane, to head back to Rome.
 Pope Benedict XVI walks to the altar. After a very cold night of sleeping under the stars, the pilgrims awake to the sounds of the choir of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd, leading the pilgrims in Morning prayer. The Holy Father flies across the Southern Cross Precinct. He gets out and moves into the pope-mobile. Once again, The Holy Father takes to the streets of Sydney, this time greeted by the many Sydney-siders that have come out to welcome him. Inside Randwick racecourse, Guy Sebastian warms the pilgrims with a moving performance of 'I Surrender All', 'Falling In Love with Jesus' and the WYD theme song 'Receive the Power' The pilgrims as well as the many thousands of people that have just arrived at Randwick for Mass this morning are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Pope Benedict, for the celebration of Holy Mass, the high point of WYD week. The pope-mobile stops as the window is wound down and a baby is passed to the Holy Father for a blessing - obviously an unscheduled moment, but an eternal moment that will last a lifetime. The motorcade winds throughout the racecourse, ensuring that as many pilgrims as possible get a glance of their shepherd - Pope Benedict XVI.
 Vietnamese Freedom Flags at WYD The flag that is arguably most visible at the closing Mass of WYD isn't even an official flag of a nation, but one that is said to be banned in its home country.
 Spanish Pilgrims Celebrate as Madrid is announced WYD11 Seconds ago, after the closing Mass of WYD08 Pope Benedict announced that the next World Youth Day is to be in Madrid, Spain in 2011!
Today's txt from the Holy Father:
Young friend the Spirit is calling u 2 be a bearer of the good news of Jesus 2 your generation - BXVI
 Pope Benedict greets the pilgrims at Randwick After flying over the gathered pilgrimsin a helicopter, the Pope, in the Popemobile, drove into the Randwickprecinct and almost at walking pace drove passed the pilgrims. Several times the motorcade stopped while the Popemobile's window was opened so that the Pontiff could personally bless anumber of small children that were held up to him.
 Many pilgrims prayed all night.
 Pope Benedict XVI at the WYD Evening Vigil Gary Pinto performs 'Behold The Cross' as the WYD Cross & Icon is carried onto the sanctuary and put into position. Just as the young people made their pilgrimage to Randwick today, the presence of the Cross and Icon highlight the culmination of the journey is here. 7.15 Led by representatives from many nations, Pope Benedict XVI is welcomed to the Evening Vigil as he processes behind them onto the sanctuary to lead the congregation in prayer. The Holy Father is looking remarkably fresh after another full day of activity. As at Barangaroo, the stage is awash with bright red, signifying the earthy colours of the land that is the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit, Australia, as well as the fire of the Holy Spirit. Lauren Zolezzi, performs newly commissioned hymn, Our Lady of the Southern Cross. 7.24pm - The Holy Father opens the vigil ceremony, "In the name of the father and the son and the Holy Spirit."
TODAY'S TEXT MESSAGE This morning Pope Benedict XVI sent out his daily text message to the pilgrims of the world: "Dear friend, u must be holy & u must be missionary: never separate holiness from misssion - BXVI".
 Pilgrims stop to pray while crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge 12 30 Walking across the bridge now, near Melbourne pilrgims from St Bernadette's North Sunshine.
 The Last Supper 3 pm Station 1: The Last Supper with a special appearance by the Holy Father 3:18 pm Station 2: The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane where Christ prepares for his death 3:31 pm Station 3: Jesus before the Sanhedrin
 TXTs from BXVI The Spirit impels us 4ward 2wards others; the fire of his love makes us missionaries of God's charity. C u tomorrow night - BXVI Each day Pope Benedict XVI is sending text messaged to Pilgrim's mobile phones. Tomorrow pilgrims will walk from North Sydney across the Harbour Bridge to Randwick Racecource where they will spend the evening with the Pope in a vigil including adoration of the Blessed Sacrament of Jesus Christ. |
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