St Thomas The Apostle Chaldean & Assyrian Catholic Diocese of AUS & NZ Chaldean Catholic Diocese – Sydney
Our Chaldean Diocese Youth will be travelling on the 15th of January with the Archdiocese of Sydney to Washington to attend “ Life Week “ and then the pilgrims will head to World Youth Day from 22 to 27 January 2019 in Panama City
Our diocese youth have completed a few formation sessions in preparation to their travel to the World Youth Day pilgrimage to Washington and Panama.
The title of this Pilgrimage was chosen by His Grace Archbishop Anthony Fisher , the Archbishop of the Sydney Archdiocese, which is “Life to the full’.
The Pre World Youth Day formation sessions contained the following:
- Pilgrims were able to listen, discuss and share about the ‘life’ element of the pilgrimage. Rebecca Gosper– Director of LifeChoice spoke about her experiences at the March for life in Washington, the context of being pro-life, and the real life encounters of her ministry.
- Pilgrims were able to discuss the difference between a pilgrimage and a holiday.
- Pilgrims were able to discuss the Purpose of the Pilgrimage and our Purpose in life
The highlight of the formation sessions was the last formation session, when the young pilgrims were able to listen to His Grace Archbishop Anthony Fisher arguing the young pilgrims to reject the constant busyness of the world and instead to be “ slow pilgrims “.
The Archbishop also told young people that the modern world is obsessed with “ speed and efficiency”. The hectic pace of life is not conducive to truly experiencing the world or pondering its mean and purpose, he said.
Our Lady took her time after the Angel Gabriel told her God’s plans for her life, the Archbishop pointed out. She did not rush her answer or accept the invitation without asking questions first. Hers was a “slow yes.”
“Being spontaneous in such things can be the enemy of constancy and consistency. But to really be part of God’s plan Mary’s ‘yes’—and ours too—has to be constant, consistent, for keeps.”
The Archbishop invited the young pilgrims to take the same approach as Our Lady when they set off on the great adventure of WYD.
“Don’t let WYD become a kind of ‘Catholic schoolies week’ for you. It should be a turning point in your life, the inspiration for a life-long pondering, a slow growth of relationship with Christ.”
“So go, dare I say, as ‘Slow Pilgrims’. Stop and be quiet when you can. Savour and ponder every experience. Approach your coming WYD experience as something to be savoured, like slow food for the soul, not a burger on the run while you’re driving somewhere else.”
World Youth Day will take place from 22 to 27 January 2019 in Panama City, Panama.
