WORLD Youth Day 2008 in Sydney saw thousands of international pilgrims make their way up to Brisbane for the Days in the Diocese week.
Days in the Diocese is held in the week prior to the World Youth Day festival and provides a chance for pilgrims to spend a week living in the homes of families from their host parish. Often, when asked what their highlight of World Youth Day was, many pilgrims will recall this Days in the Diocese experience.
Due to the success of Days in the Diocese at previous World Youth Days, the Brisbane archdiocese has chosen to make this part of our pilgrimage to Poland next year.
Many Brisbane parishes have kept in contact with the pilgrims they hosted for Days in the Diocese back in 2008, and it is our hope that similar relationships may be made between Brisbane pilgrims and their Polish hosts.
The diocese hosting our pilgrimage in 2016 is the Diocese of Opole, a vibrant city which is a two hour drive from Krakow.
The young people of this diocese are full of energy and have planned so many exciting events to immerse pilgrims into the Polish Church and community.
Each year in July, the young people of Opole embark on a pilgrimage where they walk up the Mount of St Anne, concluding with a Mass at the top of the mountain.
This pilgrimage walk has been included in our Days in the Diocese program.
Given St John Paul II’s history of mountain climbing and going on adventures with young people – this will be quite a meaningful part of the pilgrimage.
At the heart of the World Youth Day experience is encountering the person of Christ.
We are looking towards Days in the Diocese with expectant hearts, praying that Brisbane Pilgrims will experience a personal encounter with Christ through the parish communities of Opole.
Will you be between the ages of 18-35 in July next year?
Why not join us? Visit www.wydbrisbane.org.au or email wyd2016@bne.catholic.net.au
