World Youth Day Cross - latest reports

LONDON - 21st January 2004

Tomorrow, the Pope's World Youth Day Cross, is arriving in Lancaster. Catholic schools and colleges all over the diocese have all been involved in organising three special celebrations of prayer and praise around the Cross, centred in Preston, Barrow and Cleator, West Cumbria.

All are welcome to attend these hour-long powerful youth-centred liturgies led by Bishop Patrick O' Donoghue. They take place at St Wilfrid's Church Preston at 10 am; St Bernard's School, Barrow at 2.30pm; and St Mary's Church, Cleator at 7pm.

Fr Robert Billing, the co-ordinator of the event, said: " I really do hope that our prayer events on the 22nd will serve to celebrate and bring alive our Catholic faith amongst the young people of our diocese and their families."

More than 11,000 young people have already witnessed the World Youth Day Cross since it arrived eleven days ago - passing through each diocese on the way to Scotland. (See previous ICN reports).

Young people have come out in force to give witness of their faith, participating in pilgrimages through the streets, vigils and dramas to name but a few events.

In every diocese, it has received amazing responses from those who have come to see it.

Cardinal Newman School in Arundel and Brighton started a book for those who experience it to write messages in, which is travelling with the Cross and Icon around the country. This has been incredibly successful with young people queuing to add their message. The messages have been motivating and touching.

One young person from Arundel and Brighton wrote: "God Bless you and we hope that the World Youth Day Cross and the Mary's Icon will do plenty of things in the hearts of young people." Another young person from Southwark wrote: "May the Cross be a source of inspiration and encouragement to those who witness it."

For the first time, every school in Menevia came together last Thursday to witness the pilgrimage of the Cross.

Sr Angela, who organised the Menevia leg of the pilgrimage said: "Today was a historic spiritual and uplifting occasion. All 21 schools in the diocese were present and it was historic as they never all been brought together before."

This was a momentous event following months of organisation. Young people gathered in Swansea to process the Cross through the streets. Local shoppers stopped to watch the procession as it made its way up to the Cathedral.

Bishop Mark Jabble said: "It's quite wrong to say that young people are not interested in religion and Christianity. It was quite obvious through this ceremony that young people were wrapped in attention and they took a very active part in the ceremony."

Following Mass Bishop Mark Jabble blessed the Cross and gave a smaller metal cross to everyone present as a reminder of the amazing day.

In Birmingham, Archbishop Vincent Nichols said: "To see the faith of the young people of our diocese shown in prayer and in the celebration of Mass today has been a deeply moving experience."

World Youth Cross Prayer