World Youth Day has already begun

The Cross and the Icon, previews of World Youth Day 2008, in Mulgoa

La juventud vietnamesa católica llevando la cruz al Santuario The Catholic Vietnamese Youth carrying the cross and icon to the Shrine Die katholische vietnamesische Jugend bringt das Kreuz zum Heiligtum
Reciebiendo los simbolos queridos Welcoming the precious symbols Begrüßung der kostbaren Symbole
La Cruz entra al Santuario The Cross is carried into the Shrine Das Kreuz wird ins Heiligtum getragen
Tocar la gracia... Touching grace Gnade, berührbar
Momentos de gracia Moments of grace Gnadenmomente Fotos: P. Marcelo Aravena © 2008

AUSTRALIA. Father Marcelo Aravena. On January 13^th and 14^th, the Schoenstatt Shrine in Mulgoa, in the vicinity of World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney Australia, will receive the cross and the icon of the World Youth Day (WYD). This will be the second visit, since the awaited symbols of WYD 2008, the cross and the icon, had arrived at Mount Schoenstatt, Mulgoa, on Saturday, December 15^th at 3:15.

The Vietnam Catholic Youth from Sydney were in charge of bringing the symbols to the shrine, which had been traveling through the different dioceses of Australia for several months with an impressive evangelical success. The divine grace of the WYD is already working fruitfully within the Australian Catholic Youth. The Schoenstatt Youth represented the Diocese of Parramatta in welcoming the Vietnam youth and the symbols. During moments of much solemnity and emotion the cross and the icon were taken into the Shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt.

The presence of the cross and the icon brought the Holy Father Benedict XVI and all the Catholic youth of world to this part of the planet.

The symbols were there to be venerated, touched, hugged, and kissed. It is impressive to witness such strong and beautiful expressions of faith by the youth. Rosaries, liturgies, songs, dances, live Stations of the Cross, prayers and a youth celebration gave life and depth to the privilege of having such an important gift from Providence.

The cross and the icon left Mount Schoenstatt to a nearby parish, leaving a great nostalgia and desire. This nostalgia and desire will be satisfied since they will return next January 13^th and 14^th, another gift from Providence, this time there will be an International Schoenstatt Family celebration. WYD 2008 has already begun.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA/amj