Evening
Vigil
The group joined over 235,000 people from around the world at the
Randwick Racecourse on Saturday night for a candle lit Evening Vigil
with Holy Father. The racecourse was transformed into a huge stage
area, filled with all the colours and flags of the world, with the
Welsh Dragon flying proudly over our area, nicknamed by the group as
'1400' due to the distance sign close by.
Sunset at Randwick Racecourse
Fr. Philip and Fr. Michael keeping an eye on us
The day began with early morning Mass for the group at our make
shift chapel for the trip in the hotel gym. The group then left for
the Pilgrimage Walk which began earlier in the day (5:30am!!) in
North Sydney before crossing over the Harbour Bridge. We joined the
walk at Central Station and continued the remaining 4.2km to
Randwick. The walk was long and tiring and we lost each other
numerous times in the huge gathering of pilgrims, but our flag was
always a rallying point and Fr. Philip’s shout of 'WALES' to get
everybody to stop also helped.
We arrived at the Racecourse after the walk and tried to set up camp
in our assigned area. Our allocation was an excellent location with
a good view of the stage and altar and also a large TV screen. We
enjoyed music and entertainment during the afternoon before the main
event began at 7pm.
7pm saw the arrival of Pope Benedict and he was greeted with cries
of 'Benedicto' and 'Viva Papa'. It continued with testimonials from
several pilgrims, music and songs and an address by the Holy Father.
Pope Benedict called on the faithful to hear Christ’s great promise
and pray together, as his Apostles did.
"Tonight, we do the same. Gathered before our much travelled 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."
Benediction followed with the Holy Father and then several more
hymns. The groups Latin has certainly improved with a number of
hymns and the Mass setting being in Latin.
The Holy Father then departed and the vigil continued with music and
song, with the "The White Collars" a band of priests from around the
world, who entertained us with songs, and also a family of Irish
fiddlers.
The night began to get extremely cold and everyone settled for the
night, most then fell asleep during the International Rosary. It was
a cold night but an unforgettable experience.
Papal Mass
The following morning, Sunday, was World Youth Day and the day of
the final Mass with Pope Benedict attended by over 400,000 young
people. The day began with a huge queue for the toilets with over
200,000 people waking up at about the same time. Morning Prayer then
began, led by Archbishop Philip Wilson and a group of seminarians.
Pope Benedict flew over the Racecourse at 9am in the Papal
helicopter before taking to his Popemobile to view the hundreds of
thousands of young Catholics gathered for the event.
View from the Papal Flight
**Mass began at 10am with the procession of the Cardinals, including
our own Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, followed by the Pope. Our
group had a very good view of both the altar and large screen, maybe
not as good as Fr. Philip and Fr. Michael who concelebrated with the
Holy Father.
Procession of Cardinals
Pope Benedict in the procession
Mass continued with the Holy Father addressing the Youth in his
Homily and referring to Australia as the 'Great South Land of the
Holy Spirit'.
Pope Benedict greets the crowd
The Pope also confirmed 24 young Catholics from Australia at the
Mass.
As well as celebrating with those in attendance, His Holiness also
thanked Sydney for hosting the week-long festivities before
announcing Madrid as the next host city for World Youth Day in 2011.
More photographs from the Vigil & Mass
**
Music Clips
It might be necessary to keep the volume setting
low for some of these, especially Gloria!
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Pope Benedict begins Mass in the usual way
-
Kyrie Eleison
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Kyrie
2
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Gloria
-
Let Us Pray
These clips are from the final Papal Mass at Randwick Racecourse.
The orchestra and WYD Choir were spectacular and the sound of music
and song filled the entire ground where over 400,000 people had
gathered.
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