1810 WYD icons to arrive in Solomons

austraLasia #1810

World Youth Day Cross and Icon to arrive in Solomon Islands en route to Australia
(from Catholic Communications Solomons)

HONIARA: 11th April 2007 -- Symbols of the world’s largest youth event - the World Youth Day Cross and Icon of Our Lady – will arrive at Henderson airport, Solomon Islands on 12 April, 2007.  Youth and parishes across the Solomon Islands have been preparing for the arrival of the Cross and Icon ever since the two symbols of WYD started their journey through Asia and Oceania in February 2007 on their way to Australia for World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia.  The Diocese of Auki and Diocese of Gizo will also have the Cross and Icon visit them for a day.
    Fr. Ivica Gregurec cm, Parish priest of Good Shepherd parish, Tenaru, will welcome the Cross and Icon.  Archbishop Adrian Smith sm will give the opening address.  It will then be carried in procession into Honiara by the youth of different parishes.  Along the road different youth groups will offer prayers.  The Cross will then depart to Auki by sea for a day to enable participants from the Diocese of Auki celebrate and pray with its people.  On its return to Honiara on 14 April, 2007, it will go west to Tanagai and Visale parishes.  Early morning on Sunday it will travel by air to Gizo, giving the victims of the recent tsunami a chance to venerate the Cross and pray for lost loved ones and the strength to endure their trials.  It will then move to Ruavatu, East Guadalcanal on 16 April, 2007.  The parishioners of Christ the King, Tetere and Good Shepherd parish will receive the cross on 17 April.  A farewell mass will be celebrated by Bishop Chris Cardone op, Bishop of Auki and will depart on the 19 April, 2007.
    As part of the celebrations, 150 young people are present at the Bishop Epalle School, Rove for a camp organized by Fr. Joseva Tuimavule cm and his team.   Several more are expected to arrive from Russell Islands, Savo and Makira.  Different sessions and talks to deepen and strengthen the faith of the participants are planned.
    WYD organizers, who are supporting the Oceania itinerary, have had enthusiastic responses from the region. "In places like East Timor, the diocese have told us they don't just want to host the Cross and Icon - they need it to bring some light to their troubled times", World Youth Day Coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher OP said.
    "The journey of the Cross and Icon is an invitation to the people of Asia and Oceania to join us in Sydney to celebrate World Youth Day with his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. The journey of the Cross and Icon will inspire young people from the region to make the pilgrimage to Sydney....we know that for many young people [of the region] this is their best opportunity to attend a World Youth Day and share in it powerful message".
    To help those in developing countries make that pilgrimage, Australia has developed support programs to help them meet some of the costs. The support schemes available can be found at www.wyd2008.org.
   World Youth Day is the largest youth event in the world and will attract an anticipated 500,000 pilgrims from around Australia and the world to Sydney from 15-20 July 2008.

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