From Australia: Catechesis and Stations for Maria

18 July 2008

Maria Brennan is a parishioner at Clifton Cathedral and she’s just began a memorable trip to Australia for World Youth Day (WYD). Maria’s keeping a diary for cliftondiocese.com and this is her latest entry.

In the morning we had our usual teaching session at St Martha's. This time it was given by a bishop from New Zealand.

But today was very special day because of the Stations of the Cross in the afternoon and evening.

After a coffee with Father Kevin Hennessey (Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor in Churchdown) and other friends we walked to Barangeroo near Darling Harbour to watch on a big screen a prayerful reenactment of the last days of Jesus' life.

Sydney was transformed into an outdoor Cathedral for the event. Pope Benedict opened the Stations from St Mary's Cathedral, and we saw this on a giant screen, and then the actors played out the story from St Mary's to the Opera House and then onto Darling Harbour. I was very sad indeed and cried a lot especially at the Crucifixion.

The story started in bright sunshine and carried on through sunset to night with Sydney Harbour as the backdrop. My friends told me not to be too sad as Jesus came to life again.

Tomorrow we are going to sleep out under the stars!

I'll keep you updated.  

Maria Brennan

More about the Stations from our WYD reporter in Australia.

Maria’s previous diary entry.

More from Australia.  Lots more pictures, stories and video from the Bishops' Conference comprehensive WYD website. 

Many more pictures from Total Catholic.

Meet more of our WYD pilgrims.

Keep with cliftondiocese.com for regular WYD reports from our young pilgrims direct from Australia and Maria’s diary