Australia
2025.11.29-12.6
In the Beginning…
(Cecillia Seonghee Song) I faintly remember WYD08 in Sydney as a festival of young people filled with bright smiles. Considering my lack of experience, I spent sleepless nights worrying whether we would be of help with this pilgrimage while exchanging messages with the Australian coordinators. Yet as the departure date drew nearer, the courage to just dive in and see swelled within me. We began our clumsy preparations, doing our best to learn, at least in theory, about the unfamiliar WYD Cross and Icon.
(Katherine Dain Park) Given that Australia hosted WYD in 2008, this visit held special significance. As we prepared our presentations on the import of WYD Seoul 2027, the martyrs of the Korean Church, and the preparations going on in Seoul, we rediscovered the meaning of this journey that we had forgotten in the grind of daily life. The idea of visiting a foreign country was nerve-wracking and the schedule was uncertain, but looking back, I realized that God always filled our shortcomings through other people and prepared the way for us.
Our Pilgrimage Together
On November 30, 2025, our thrilling pilgrimage began with Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne. With fervent young Australians filling the cathedral inside and out, encountering the Symbols gave us a profound sense of deep emotion, as if the Lord had led us to this moment.
Journeying to Sydney, countless families responded to the invitation to “lay all your pain upon the cross.” Their trembling hands caressing the Cross and Icon as they prayed reminded us that God always waits by our side.
Sensing the distinct fragrance of each life lined up before the Cross, tears flowed unceasingly at the realization that God's great love dwells in everyone, transcending region, age, and appearance. Adults who saw them in 2008 were moved to tears upon seeing the Symbols again after 17 years, while young people’s eyes sparkled at Fr. Peter Sungyun Jong’s stories of K-pop and Korean culture, eagerly anticipating the 2027 Seoul event. Across generations, the WYD Symbols united us in faith.
As people who have hosted the event before, the Australians assured us that the Seoul WYD would unfold beautifully in its own way, even amidst difficulties. Their sincere support brought great comfort and courage to us. This pilgrimage to Australia was a time of grace, allowing us to once again reflect on the faith and history of the Korean Church and experience the love of the Lord in all the ways He prepared for us, both great and small.
Let’s Hear from the Locals
Carrying the WYD Cross and Icon into St Mary’s Cathedral was one of the most profound moments of my faith journey. As I held the Cross, I felt not only the physical weight, but also the hopes and prayers of countless young people across Australia and beyond. It reminded me that faith is communal, something we support and strengthen in one another.
In that moment, I felt Christ’s closeness and Mary’s quiet encouragement to say “yes” more boldly in my own life. This experience deepened my desire to grow in holiness, to serve others with a more generous heart, and to trust more fully in God’s plan for my life. It was a grace-filled moment that will remain a guiding light on my pilgrimage of faith.
(Archdiocese of Sydney / Joey Khalil)
The WYD Cross reminds me not just of the instrument of Salvation that Our Lord used to crush death once and for all but also of the universality and catholicity of our Church, as it has been carried by millions of Catholics from all different parts of the world and life for the past few decades! It felt surprisingly light when carrying it together, and this reminded me that Christ’s burden is light. I also thought of the Somascan motto, Onus Meum Leve, and that we ought to help carry each other’s burden in our earthly pilgrimage to Heaven.
On this pilgrimage, Our Lord blessed us with a tender Mother who is always protecting her children and interceding for us—the Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary reminds me of this reality. It was truly an absolute honor and blessing to help carry the WYD Cross and Icon of Our Blessed Mother into St Mary’s Cathedral!
(Archdiocese of Sydney / Yousif Solomon)
Creating WYD Seoul 2027 Together
The cherished memory of WYD Sydney 2008 is fruitful ground, growing interest and anticipation for WYD Seoul 2027. Local parishioners shared memories of how vocations blossomed and grace was poured out through the sacraments at Sydney, imparting great courage and hope to us preparing for the Seoul gathering.
Through their deep respect for the history of Korea's martyrs and the curiosity and passion of young Australians for Korean culture, including K-pop and K-food, we could feel their sincere solidarity and cultural interest. Bishops and diocesan officials, along with youth ministry leaders, shared how they were preparing for the pilgrimage to Seoul, expressing their anticipation and demonstrating their conviction that WYD Seoul 2027 will foster spiritual, cultural, and communal growth.
Text and photos: Katherine Dain Park, Cecilia Seunghee Song