Iraqi Catholic youths carry World Youth Day posters and a cross during a procession in Aradel, northern Iraq, July 17. More than 6,500 youths in Iraq participated in processions, catechesis, the Way of the Cross, singing and Masses to mark the simultaneous international gathering occurring in Sydney, Australia. Some Iraqi Catholics that had made plans to travel to Sydney were not granted visas. (CNS/Ramy Maalouf)

Iraqi youths, unable to get to Sydney, celebrate WYD at home

When Iraqi youths were not granted visas for World Youth Day in Australia, Iraq's Chaldean Catholic bishops decided they would bring World Youth Day to Iraq.

In what is often seen as one of the most intensely secular nations in the world, Australia received a wake-up call: the faith of the church on public display over the weeklong celebrations of World Youth Day.

It had all the elements of World Youth Day 2008, right down to the host city's name, Sidney. Only this was in Ohio, not Sydney, Australia.

More stories from Sydney:

• Pope celebrates private Mass with Australian clergy sex abuse victims
  
• Pope leaves Australia after thanking WYD volunteers
  
• Pope tells young people power of Holy Spirit can transform world
  
• In 'Great South Land,' pilgrims pray, play and sleep under stars
  
• Pope apologizes to Australians for 'betrayal' of clergy sex abuse
  
• Set amid Sydney landmarks, stations attract hundreds of thousands
  
• Youths join pope for lunch, present gifts, including Mickey Mouse hat
  
• Aborigines play prominent role in pope's welcome to Australia
  
• Catholic double life doomed to self-destruct, says Denver archbishop
  
• At rehab center, pope calls recovering addicts 'ambassadors of hope'
  
• Religious differences can't stop dialogue, pope tells Australians
  
• Pope says Blessed Mary MacKillop is source of inspiration for all
  
• Pope urges young people to respect life by safeguarding all creation
  
• For some, absence of Iraqis dampens joy of welcoming pope to WYD
  
• In txts, BXVI urges WYD pilgrims to proclaim Christ & his luv
  
• Vatican diplomat tells WYD pilgrims Spirit guides them to God
  
• Pope formally welcomed to Australia with 21-gun salute, military band
  
• Amid the freebies, young people gravitate toward booths of religious
  
• World Youth Day kicks off in Sydney with Mass, dancing, testimonies
  
• In a sea of World Youth Day pilgrims, dozens from mainland China
  
• Indian pilgrims disappear in New Zealand on way to WYD in Australia
  
• Pope spends first full day in Australia resting, working on speeches
  
• WYD pilgrims learn about simple life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
  
• WYD pilgrims sample Aussie life during Days in Diocese outside Sydney
  
• Cardinal: Faith includes solidarity with poor, care for environment
  
• Maronite Catholics gather in Sydney for Mass, youth forum
  
• Pope says he will apologize to Australian victims of clergy sex abuse
  
• U.S. nuns flock to Sydney as pilgrims, volunteers for World Youth Day
  
• Polish pilgrims get a taste of Australian hospitality in Sydney
  

---

Current articles from Faith Alive!, our weekly religious education series:

• World Youth Day 2008: Celebrating the Catholic faith
  
• World Youth Day 2002 in the 'meeting place'
  
• A teacher's take on the 2008 World Youth Day
  

---

More World Youth Day headlines:

• Pilgrims make Hawaii stop part of preparation for World Youth Day
  
• New Zealand bishop tells youths WYD shows church's universality
  
• U.S. college students spend days in service before heading to Sydney
  
• Pope asks Catholics to pray for WYD; Vatican announces indulgences
  
• Railroad workers cancel strike planned for World Youth Day
  
• West Virginia youths 'ecstatic' about being on boat with pope
  
• Pittsburgh young people 'on fire' for World Youth Day in Australia
  
• Body of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati arrives in Sydney for WYD
  
• Young Texas man among 24 to be confirmed by pope at WYD closing Mass
  
• At WYD, ex-gangster plans to tell pope God's love changed his life
  
• WYD chief denies church seeks to expand police powers, limit protests
  
• Australian bishops ask forgiveness, urge lapsed Catholics to return
  
• WYD social networking site connects youths to build faith, friendship
  
• Vatican, World Youth Day officials release pope's Australian itinerary
  
• U.S. pilgrims cope with expenses, logistics to get to World Youth Day
  

New posts:

She pondered these things in her heart ...

I’m not sure if anyone is reading these posts any more, but I do hope so. I haven’t written about the end of the vigil or the Papal mass intentionally. Spending the night at Randwick and celebrating mass with the Holy Father leaves a lot for one to think about.

Final thoughts: in pursuit of a saint

As 200,000 candles lit up Randwick racecourse on Saturday night, it occured to me that it was possible -- likely, even -- that future saints were in our midst.

It’s all over. Or is it?

Yes, WYD08 has come to a glorious end, but our mission is only beginning.

The Morning After

Reporters, headlines and personal remarks all speak of the before and after: cynicism and hope; disillusionment and transformation; negativity and optimism. Everyone has been a part of WYD here, regardless if they did or did not register or even attended an event; and it is sure to be the topic of conversation for many months to come.

Sore feet, soaring hearts

Darling Harbor is still tonight compared with the noisy, cheerful sounds of the crowds that filled the area throughout this past week. You can still see the occasional cluster of pilgrims walking about, the empty medical and food tents, and the light and stage set-ups leftover from concerts, but it’s nothing like a day or two ago.

Words from the Holy Father at the vigil

After the Holy Father’s remarks, we had some time in adoration. This was one of the first time in the whole week where it was really quiet. There I was in a field of a ton of people, who were able to be quiet immediately, yet it took longer for me to quiet my own heart.

Pope on Sudan: “The country I most want to visit”

As we were tightly packed on the deck of the Sydney 2000, I couldn’t help but be privy to another pilgrim’s poignant moment with the Holy Father.