CONGREGAZIONE DELLA PASSIONE DI GESÙ CRISTO

P.ZA SS. GIOVANNI E PAOLO, 13

OO184 ROMA - ITALIA

Il Superiore Generale

Prot.n.20060091

OBJECT: Letter for World Youth Day (WYD) in Sydney, Australia, July 2008

Very Rev. Major Superiors: Provincials, Vice-Provincials, Regional Vicars and Superiors General of the Passionist Sisters.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today, 9 April 2006, Palm Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI, presided at the blessing of the “transferal of the Cross” of wood that a youth group from Cologne, Germany, entrusted to a group of young people from Sydney, who gathered near to the cross together with the Australian flag. 

Also present were their eminences Cardinals Joachim Meisner, Archbishop of Cologne and George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney.  St. Peter’s Square was filled with people and the splendid springtime sun illuminated the flags that waved in the breeze and made the green olive branches more brilliant in color as they were festively waved at the words:  Hosanna to “the One who comes in the name of the Lord.”

            “The conferral of the wooden Cross” was also its “exaltation”, a symbol of offering and of love.  This followed its recent pilgrimage to various Eastern countries, areas affected by violent threats and human suffering:  the empty space of the razed Twin Towers of New York; the “favelas” of Latin America and the rich, opulent Western countries; now prior to its arrival in Australia, the Cross will lead a year-long pilgrimage in the lands of Africa.  In fact, tomorrow, 10 April, it will leave for Senegal and then it will visit other areas that experience intense contradictions as well as great hopes.

            By means of this letter I wish to inform you about two initiatives that the Congregation has planned for the next World Youth Day in Sydney Australia in July of 2008.  The SPIR (Australia) Provincial Superior, Fr. Denis Travers, together with his Council and the religious of the Province, have made themselves available to offer a warm welcome as well as suggestions for the good order of this Day.

            In fact, Fr. Denis informs us that Holy Spirit Province is preparing a special program for young people who are associated with our Passionist Congregation throughout the world and who wish to participate at the World Youth Day (WYD) during the month of July, 2008.

            The Holy Spirit Province will host and organize a program for young people who go to Sydney for WYD.  This program will take place during a time frame that does not conflict with the official events of WYD.

            Those young people who are associated with us Passionists in the our parishes, Shrines, Retreat Houses, youth groups and monasteries are invited to participate in special events that are part of a program that is focused on the Passionist Charism.

            The program will be multi-lingual and will be guided by Passionists throughout the world.  It is also hoped that some Sisters and the laity of the Passionist Family that are associated with us will also become involved.

            This proposal has the support of the General Council and the Asian-Pacific Passionist Conference (PASPAC).  This is a wonderful event and I invite all of you to seriously consider it.

            Holy Spirit Province already has several persons who are at work planning this Day and shortly you will receive letters and additional information from this planning group.

            During this same World Youth Day gathering there may also be a special meeting of young professed Passionists.

            I also hope that some of the younger members of the Congregation in your Province will be invited by you to accompany the young people of your country to the WYD.  These younger Passionists may also serve as chaperones or chaplains for the young people.  When they arrive in Australia we can also gather individually to discuss the future of the Congregation and other topics.

            This meeting may also serve as part of the Restructuring process of the Congregation.

            I envision this gathering as an event of the Congregation.  New youth initiatives for international planning may develop from this meeting of Passionists.  This meeting will be facilitated with the help of assigned translators and interpreters.  We hope that one or two delegates from each Province, Vice-Province or Vicariate will participate.  This youth gathering could also be discussed at our upcoming General Chapter.

            I thank you for your consideration of this matter and I also thank Fr. Denis and the Holy Spirit Province on behalf of the youth of the Congregation, the youth of our Parishes, Retreat Houses and apostolates.

Best wishes to all of you for a very Happy Easter!

Fraternally in Christ,

Fr. Ottaviano D'Egidio, C.P.

Superior General

Note

For more immediate information, please direct any inquiries to our Provincial house in Sydney:

V. Rev. Provincial, C.P.; Passionist Provincial Office

P.O. Box 12  -  Marrickville, N.S.W. 1475  (Australia)

            Pref. Intern.: [61], Tel.: Prov: (2) 8577 5600  -  Fax: Prov: (2) 9558 2574

E-mail: Prov. Sup.: provincial.cp@passionists.com;

Prov. Secr.: provincial.administration@passionists.com

Web: www.passionists.com