Ten inspirational saints and blesseds have been named the official patrons for World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08).

A tradition of each World Youth Day, the 10 patrons have been chosen by the organisers and approved by the Vatican. An Australian artist, Richard de Stoop was commissioned to recreate their images.

"When deciding who should be the patrons, we focus on who would inspire young people," said Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, Coordinator WYD08.

"Not only do we look to saints, but those who are waiting to become saints - blesseds - and those who have had a particular influence on Australia's and Oceania's history.

"We ask everyone to learn their stories, and understand that ordinary people can do extraordinary things through the Spirit of Christ.

"We particularly urge young people to get to know and pray with our patrons," he said.

The patrons will be focused on during some of the major events, including the Evening Vigil at Randwick Racecourse.

The images are available online at the WYD08 Photo Gallery: www.wyd2008.org/media

Sydney will host the 23rd World Youth Day from 15-20 July. Organised by the Catholic Church but open to all, WYD08 is expected to attract 500,000 to the Final Mass, presided by Pope Benedict XVI.

WYD08 is the first visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Australia.

The ten WYD08 patrons are:

1. Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Help of Christians

Mary, Virgin and Mother is the perfect model for all women and also for men. She said her great "yes" to God while still a teenager. She is the Patroness of Australia, under the title "Help of Christians" and the patron of the Archdiocese of Sydney whose Cathedral is called St Mary's. Her title "Our Lady of the Southern Cross" emphasises local devotion to her in Australia and Oceania.

2. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901 - 1925)

The charismatic Blessed Pier Giorgio is revered for his social activism, sporty nature, sense of humour and generous spirit. Born into a wealthy, influential but unreligious family - his agnostic father became Italian Ambassador to Germany - Pier Giorgio joined the St Vincent de Paul Society in 1918 at 17, committing his spare time to the sick and needy.

He joined student organisations, opposed fascism and established a daily newspaper. He died of polio at the age of 24.

His family were amazed to see thousands of mourners lining the streets for his funeral, many of whom were the poor and needy he had served selflessly. They in turn were stunned to learn this generous and humble youth was from such an important family.

3. Blessed Mary MacKillop (1842 - 1909)

Mary MacKillop was a servant of poor and uneducated youth, the founder of the Sisters of St Joseph. Beatified by Pope John Paul II in Sydney in 1995, she established an incredible legacy with her generosity and determination to respond to every need with Christ's charity across our great continent.

4. Saint Peter Chanel (1803 - 1841)

Peter Chanel was a French missionary priest, martyred on the Island of Wallis and Futuna, Oceania. When he arrived, there were only a few thousand people due to the tribal wars and the practice of cannibalism. The locals were deeply engrossed in a religion that involved the worship of terror, offered to evil deities.

Peter gained a following of locals and as a result was beaten and tortured and killed by a fatal axe wound to the head. His body was taken back to France and Rome via New Zealand and Australia, where it rested at Villa Maria, Hunter's Hill Sydney for two weeks.

5. Blessed Peter To Rot (1912 - 1945)

Peter To Rot was a married layman and a native of Papua New Guinea. A brilliant and intuitive catechist, this father of three was martyred "for the faith" and in defence of Christian marriage in a Japanese concentration camp at the end of World War II, aged only 33.

6. Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910 - 1997)

Mother Teresa of Calcutta has been, for many, the female face of the modern Catholic Church. In serving the people abandoned by society, the poorest of the poor, Mother Teresa put love into action.

In 1950 she started the Missionaries of Charity whose mission was to care for all those who had been rejected by society and suffered physically and emotionally as a result.

7. Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873 - 1897)

Was the youngest 'doctor' (i.e. teacher) of the church at 24 years and a one time patroness of Australia. Therese applied to become a Carmelite nun when she was 15 years old. Initially refused, she travelled to Rome to personally ask the Pope, who allowed her to enter a year later.

She viewed God as a tender loving Father who was pleased with even the smallest acts of charity. She had an almost perfect trust in God, even an audacious confidence in Him.

8. Saint Maria Goretti (1890 - 1902)

Maria Goretti was an 11 year old Italian teenager who refused to compromise her sexual purity to a lustful acquaintance of her family, a man who eventually brutally murdered her. She forgave him on her deathbed. He eventually converted to Christianity by her witness, and amazingly stood by Maria's mother at the canonisation.

9. Saint Faustina Kowalska (1905 - 1938)

Born and raised in Poland, Faustina first felt the call to the cloister from very young. Her parents pressured her not to join the convent at 18 but in a vision of the Lord suffering He asked her 'How long shall I put up with you and how long will you keep putting Me off'?

She was finally accepted into the Polish Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and from the age of 20 onwards, Faustina worked as a cook, gardener and doorkeeper at the convent. While her life in many ways was ordinary, she spoke closely with Our Lord and Our Lady, and recorded these conversations with them in her diaries, which were only published after her death. The modern devotion to the Divine Mercy comes from her. She was the first saint canonised in the 21st century.

10. Servant of God, John Paul II (1920 - 2005)

Servant of God and the father of WYDs, Pope John Paul II visited Australia in 1986 and 1995. He is the still much loved inspiration for a generation of young people who will feel his presence and seek his intercession during WYD08. He is remembered for his dedication to young people, opposing Communist oppression and helping to reshape the world.