The WYD Cross and its pilgrimages

　

The World Youth Day Cross & Icon arrived in Australian on 1 July and are currently making their journey around Australia.

An Indigenous Message Stick is accompanying the Cross and Icon in Australia. The Message Stick is an invitation to the indigenous youth of Australia to come to World Youth Day in July 2008.

In this section, you will find reports and photo galleries already made and upcoming itinerary highlights as they make their journey around Australia. Visit our Australian travel blog and add your encounters and experiences with the Cross & Icon as it makes its way through your diocese.

The WYD Cross is the most significant tangible symbol of WYD. Originally the idea of Pope John Paul 11, the 3.8 metre high wooden Cross was built and placed as a symbol of the Catholic faith, near the main altar in St Peter's Basilica during the Holy Year of 1983. Click here to read more about the history of the WYD Cross.

On Palm Sunday in 2003, the Pope introduced a new element for WYD: from then on, the WYD Cross would be accompanied on its pilgrimage by the Icon of Our Lady , Salus Populi Romani. Click here to read more about the history of the icon.

You can follow the path of the WYD Cross & Icon through Africa and Asia & Oceania prior to their arrival in Australia.

To contact the Journey of the Cross & Icon (JCI) team, please email us at jci@wyd2008.org