A Mass was held last Saturday in Christchurch to farewell a group of young Catholics on their pilgrimage to attend World Youth Day. Altogether there are 70 pilgrims attending from Christchurch, which is the largest New Zealand group. This is despite the Christchurch pilgrims having had their efforts to attend the event disrupted by the February earthquake.

They will be part of a 200-strong contingent of young Catholics from around New Zealand and an expected two million young Catholics worldwide heading to the 26th World Youth Day in Madrid during August 16-21.

Six Christchurch pilgrims have been allocated front row seats for the vigil with the Pope on Saturday 20 August. Three are from Villa Maria College, which is sending a pilgrimage group of 24.

“It has been a particularly challenging time for the Christchurch group to make it this far so they have a lot to celebrate at Saturday’s Mass,” said Director of Christchurch’s Catholic Youth Team, Chris Lysaght.

“Some of them were still raising money for their trips when Christchurch was devastated by the February earthquake. Others have had to rearrange their preparations for World Youth Day as they catch-up on studies or work”.

As part of this year’s celebrations, the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference Office for Young People has organised a ‘Kiwi’ Mass, featuring New Zealand songs and prayers. The Mass will be held on August 17 at 3pm at Madrid’s most popular park, Parque del Buen Retiro.

“There are around 200 travelling from New Zealand, but there are also New Zealanders living in other parts of the world who have registered for World Youth Day. The New Zealand Mass will be an opportunity to celebrate being together in Madrid for such a special event and to do this in a uniquely Kiwi way”.

Full Story: Catholic.org.nz  Image: Saskatoon