The intrepid stall designers and others come together to share their stories with pilgrims… and they, the pilgrims came in their droves:

Then we all went off to the Opening Mass for WYD 08. All of us were welcomed by our Australian Prime Minister… Mr Kevin Rudd. Our City came to life in a way it has never done before!

Even Sister Moon was shining upon our City and on us!

The Eucharist celebration was a real celebration… however, I have been told there was much more celebration as the ‘older’ members of the congregation decided it was time to go home and go to bed!

Day 2: Tuesday 15 July - Feast of St Bonaventure!

Bondi Beach…. Come to the Water!

The Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit Province in Australia organised a celebration of faith at the famous Bondi Beach. Again a wonderful celebration of sharing, blessing and singing!! And… sharing our Franciscan vocation:

Everyone was so excited… and grateful for the little gifts we shared… pins of St Clare of Assisi, a Pen with the Franciscan Family website address;… www.franciscanfamily.org.au a prayer card - with the Franciscan Prayer of Discernment and… some sweets for the journey!

Two young girls from Germany were enjoying the sand at Bondi Beach… they came complete with bare feet to prove it!

Then two beautiful young women from the Holy Land came to share some of their stories… with Sisters Joan, Louise and Pia

Sister Louise even managed to score a Mexican flag from some of our visitors!

Day 3: Super Thursday 17 July

Pope Benedict XVI’s officially arrives in Sydney! We, however, decided to have a ‘bit’ of a rest day!

First we visit the Catechises at Mary Immaculate Parish… where again there were hoards of young people revisited, listening to Cardinal Theodore from the US. St Clare’s College was well represented with some of our teachers and young students… some looking a little weary, We, joined in with the bunch, as did Br Roland from Singapore who is hearing impaired.

Later that day we celebrated the visit of their Minister General, Br José Rodríguez Carballo with the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit:

Later again that night, we attended the Franciscan Youth Festival at St Francis Church Paddington: one of our Students, Clementine is praying the reality of the Lord’s Prayer…

Day 4: Friday 18 July

Today we complete the Vocation’s Marathon - we are at Darling Harbour until 10 pm… come and visit us! We’ll keep you posted with more to come…

Enjoy World Youth Day 08!