Handover from Rome (Testimonies)
On Palm Sunday, 9 April 2006, his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI presided over a Palm Sunday Mass followed by the handover of the WYD Cross & Icon of Our Lady. The handover marked the formal commencement of Sydney's role in hosting WYD08.
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Fr Chris Ryan, World Youth Day 08
As the young people from Germany were handing the Cross and Icon of our Lady to us one of them said, "Look after the Cross for us". I was struck by how sad they were at passing the Cross on, not because they did not want us to have it, but because its journey throughout their country had been such a special time for them.
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Fr Chris Ryan, World Youth Day 08
As the young people from Germany were handing the Cross and Icon of our Lady to us one of them said, "Look after the Cross for us". I was struck by how sad they were at passing the Cross on, not because they did not want us to have it, but because its journey throughout their country had been such a special time for them.
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Fadi - Melchite Diocese
(The Handover of the WYD Cross) It made me realise how important WYD is; it is really not just an event for a day or week but I am sure with some heavy duty prayers WYD08 will change the face of Sydney and Australia forever.
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Michael - Archdiocese of Adelaide
During the 'handing over' of the Cross to the Australian youth, it struck me that we were receiving something more than just a token religious symbol. This was a symbol which carried a name and a life-changing message which we were being called upon to proclaim to the young people of Australia. Pope Benedict XVI in his Inaugural Homily reminded the young people of the world that, "If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything." It is true to say that very often we are afraid to engage with the message that is captured in the symbol of the Cross in fear that once we realise what we have discovered, that our lives are never the same.
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Kathryn - Archdiocese of Brisbane
At the moment when the cross was passed from the German delegates to the Australian delegates, the crowd erupted into loud cheers demonstrating their enthusiasm and excitement for the upcoming celebration of WYD in Sydney in 2008.
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Belinda - Archdiocese of Hobart
I will never forget and will always be grateful for that day in St Peter's Square and the great opportunity of being part of the hand-over ceremony. Secondly, "take up your cross" takes on a whole new meaning for me now. The honour and joy of carrying the cross that Christ intended us to - not a heavy burden but a cross in my heart - a simple message of love and life that I can carry always and everywhere.
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Kim - Diocese of Wollongong
Standing at the base of the Cross I saw two things: I looked up to see the Cross standing solidly against a sun-drenched St Peter's, and I looked around me to see the Cross and all it means, reflected in the eyes of the young people of Australia. At that moment it felt as though we were the disciples to whom the Holy Spirit had just come, ready to become witnesses to the ends of the earth... and so we are.
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