Clergy Couture for World Youth Day

26 March 2006

World Youth Day 2008 (WYD08) will provide specially designed vestments for the world’s Cardinals, Bishops, priests and deacons to wear during the week-long event in July.  The Clifton Diocese priest who will be chaplain to a group of around 20 young pilgrims from our diocese lets us know his thoughts. 

The 700 specially designed chasubles - the outer garment that covers the celebrant from the neck down - will be produced for Cardinals and Bishops celebrating the Opening Mass and the Final Mass.
 
Around 3000 stoles - the strip of cloth worn around the neck that hangs down past the waist - are being produced for priests and deacons to use throughout the WYD08 week.
 
“The vestments are an earthy red colour to reflect Australia’s unique landscape,” said Father Peter Williams, WYD08 Director of Liturgy.
 
“They feature the Southern Cross on the front, signifying Australia as the Great Southern Land of the Holy Spirit.
 
“This is reinforced by the indigenous image on the back of the chasuble - Marjorie’s Bird - also representing the Holy Spirit.”
 
Father Williams said it was the first time His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will visit Australia and the first time that a World Youth Day will be held here.
 
“We want to ensure we reflect our unique landscape, history and cultural influences when the international spotlight is on Sydney for this great event.”

Father Kevin Hennessey, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour is going to Australia as chaplain to the Clifton Diocese pilgrims.  He said, “The World Youth Day Vestments sound really creative - linking the liturgy with the life, culture and Christian aspirations of the people of Australia in a beautiful way, a way that can be shared in.”
 
Marjorie’s Bird was created by indigenous artist Marjorie Liddy from the Tiwi Islands in Northern Territory.
 
Both sets of vestments were designed by Melbourne firm Stuart Pettigrew Design and Sister Rosemary Crumlin RSM.
 
The vestments are currently being produced in Bergamo, northern Italy by Solivari, a company specialising in liturgical vestments.
 
Sydney will host the 23rd World Youth Day from 15 to 20 July. Organised by the Catholic Church but open to all, WYD08 is expected to attract 500,000 people to the Final Mass, presided by Pope Benedict.

You can find out more about our pilgrims in our podcast series introducing the young people who’ll be in Australia representing the Catholic Church in the West of England. 

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