World Youth Day

World Youth Day (WYD) began in 1984 when then Pope John Paul II invited the“youth of the world” to come to Rome. Some 300,000 people turned up. And so WYD was born and became an international event to be celebrated every two to three years each with a different theme and each at a different locations around the world. Over the next couple decades WYD travelled around the Globe with the Pope saying a special Mass for those attending. And attend …people did in their millions.

In Christchurch NZ, Marion College got inspired and some of them wanted to go to WYD 2016 which will be held Krakow Poland. This idea however morphed into a wider conversation and a less expensive solution. Along with Cathedral Catholic Colleges, Marian resolved to host a WYD event on the joint Christchurch sites of both Marian and Cathedral Catholic Colleges. In August 2015, with kauri sourced from Christchurch‘s broken Basilica. The Principal of Catholic Cathedral College, encouraged the Year 12 Hard Materials class under the guidance of their teacher, to plan and construct a special cross using the wood from the broken Basilica. The cross was to be an identifiable symbol that would unite and inspire youth to be part of the 2016 “Year of Mercy” pilgrimage and “World Youth Day” event for Catholic Secondary Schools in the Christchurch and Dunedin Diocese.

On July 29 th to August 2 nd Catholic Cathedral and Marian Colleges are hosting a Companion event to the World Youth Day in Krakow for the Secondary School Colleges in the South Island. In cooperation with the other Catholic Colleges the gathering will a World Youth Day Experience Event in Christchurch for senior students from all Catholic Colleges of the South Island to join into the spirit of the World Youth Day.

After the Christchurch WYD Cross was completed it was blessed and sent on a journey around the South Island, which will eventually see it arrive back in Christchurch for WYD July 29 – Aug 1 2016. From the accompanying photos you can see that the Cross was a prominent feature at this week's SKC Assembly.

The Bishops of both Dunedin and Christchurch Dioceses have given their blessing and support for this endeavour. The Polish Ambassador has lent his full support to this event as has the local Christchurch Polish community. All Catholic Colleges in both diocese have had invitations to attend and so far the response has been very positive.