Official opening of the World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney: Some 2000 young Canadians are attending this 23rd edition

Monday, July 14 2008

(CCCB – Ottawa) – Thousands of young people from all over the world are gathering in Sydney, Australia, in preparation of the 23rd World Youth Day. After Cologne, Germany, in 2005, Sydney is hosting this international gathering that will officially begin on Tuesday 15 July and conclude on Sunday 20 July, 2008.

In addition of the 2000 young participants, the Canadian delegation is comprised of 15 Bishops, some of whom will act as catechists during the morning sessions.  Pope Benedict XVI will also play an important role in this World Youth Day 2008 (WYD 2008), presiding the prayer vigil on Saturday 20 July and the closing Mass on Sunday 21 July, at Randwick Racecourse.  

The National Catholic Television Network Salt + Light, which is available in Canada by satellite or digital cable, will bring daily, live coverage of key WYD 2008 events.  The coverage will also be available free of charge through the station’s website at www.saltandlighttv.org .

The opening Mass will be telecasted live at 2 a.m. (E.T.) on Tuesday, 15 July (repeated  at 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.), the welcome of Pope Benedict XVI at 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, 17 July (repeated at 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.), the Stations of the Cross at 12:30 a.m. on Friday, 18 July (repeated at 9:00 a.m.), and the prayer vigil at 4:30 a.m. (repeated at 9:00 a.m.) and the closing Mass at 7 p.m. (repeated at 8:30 a.m.) on Saturday, 19 July, 2008.

Salt + Light Television’s coverage will be led by Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B.,former organizer of WYD 2002 in Toronto, with the participation of several commentators from Canada and across the world.