Schoenstatt Heading forward to WYD

Australia is calling! 528 days to go! German Schoenstatt Youth getting started for Sydney 2008

Benedicto XVI invita a la juventud del mundo Pope Benedict invites the youth of the world Papst Benedikt lädt ein! Foto: Santos © 2007
Australia, un continente fascinante Australia, a fascinating continent Australien, ein faszinierender Kontinent Foto: Weltjugendtagsbüro Köln © 2007
P. Lothar Herter, asesor de la JM: “Australia vale la pena” Fr. Lothar Herter, assistant of the Boys’ Youth: “Australia is worth while!” P. Lothar Herter, Leiter der SMJ: “Australien lohnt sich – für jeden!“ Foto: Graf © 2007
Hna Annette Hartl, Asesora de la JF Sr. Annette Hartl, assistant of the Girls’ Youth Schwester Annette Hartl, Standesleiterin der Mädchenjugend Foto: Brehm © 1999
JMJ 2005, Coloniua WYD 2005, Colgne Köln, Weltjugendtag 2005 Fotos: Hernadi © 2007

Logo ©: wyd2008.org

SCHOENSTATT, ahe. A few young people from Schoenstatt in Germany have asked about a journey to the World Youth Day in Sydney. And now the decision is made. A Schoenstatt Father, a Sister of Mary, a diocesan priest and a theology student will work as a team, together with young adults, in order to plan a trip for Schoenstatt youth.

There will be a pilgrimage planned to the XXIII^rd World Youth Day 2008 for youth and young adults who are at least 16 years of age. The team will be responsible for researching possibilities and organizing details pertaining to the trip. The positive experiences from former World Youth Days have inspired all. It is everyone’s wish that this can be an international Schoenstatt event for the Schoenstatt Youth and Young Adults.

For Germans, Australia is on the opposite side of the globe and this means that there will be a very long and expensive flight. To make it more worthwhile, there will be a tour offered in addition to the incredible celebration of faith and prayer with our Pope Benedict. Australia is a land of diverse culture, with fantastic attractions and exquisite natural beauty. Sightseeing is a must!

At the Shrine in Sydney

The covenant day of the Schoenstatt Movement, celebrated the 18^th of each month, will fall into the time of World Youth Day 2008 - as it did in 2005 during WYD (remember? .Arrival of the Pope, Human Chain from the Shrine in Cologne to the Cathedral…).One of the team members from the Schoenstatt Boys Youth team told schoenstatt.de: "This day will surely be a great opportunity to gather the international youth in and around the shrine. We will celebrate the uniting elements of our international group." In this way the shrine in Sydney even now can joyfully expect many youth and young adults from all over the world.

Promote, promote, promote

In the following days a flyer will be published offering basic facts about the pilgrimage. Its purpose will be to generate interest in the land of Australia and inspire the young people to travel there for World Youth Day. The Schoenstatt Youth in Germany (and all those who want to join in their trip) can get flyers for distribution. This first promotional package can be requested, at no charge, through info@wjt-schoenstatt.de. Flyers will also be made available at the various youth groups throughout the dioceses of Germany.

The Australian Schoenstatt Family and Schoenstatt Youth invite the world youth to Australia, and to their Shrine. Are there already other groups of Schoenstatt Youth planning to attend WYD? Please let us know so that we can begin our networking.

Official website of the WYD 2008 in Australia: www.wyd2008.org

Translation: Horst von Rönn-Haß, Germany/Christi Jentz, Milwaukee, USA