The religious fraternity around Oberon will come to a standstill next week when the World Youth Day Cross and Icon visits the town en route to its final destination on July 15 at Randwick Racecourse.
The Cross has been on a continual journey across the globe since 1983 when Pope John Paul II gave the cross as a symbol of Christ’s love for humanity.
Since then, it has been across all continents, culminating in other World Youth Days where hundreds of thousands of young Christians gather to celebrate their faith. The Icon of Our Lady, ‘Salus Populi Romani’, a contemporary copy of a sacred and ancient icon housed in the first and greatest basilica to Mary the Mother of God in the West, St Mary Major, has accompanied the cross sine 2003.
“The Cross and Icon will be in Oberon from 10am through to 1pm, and there will be a procession starting from the Oberon RSL down Oberon Street, onto Fleming Street and then to St Josephs school and St Ignatius Church,” said St Joespehs staff member Erin McCort.
“We think a few of the other schools from around here will be attending as well, and there will be a gathering at The Common and a lunch for the World Youth Team who travel with the Cross and Icon as well,” she said.
“We are really lucky here in that with a lot of towns, the Cross and Icon are only there for half an hour or so, but having it here in Oberon for three hours and giving everyone a chance to come and have a look is a very fortunate thing.”
Likened to a spiritual version of the famous Olympic Torch relay, the procession has made, or will eventually make it to every diocese in Australia before arriving at the Sydney racecourse for the five day extravaganza.
“While in town, the World Youth Team will talk about a few of their faith experiences as well,” Ms McCort said.
The staging of the event in Australia initially drew widespread criticism from the racing and gambling community, because the facilities at Randwick would be taken over for a significant period of time in preparation for the event – which will be attended by Pope Benedict XVI.
The celebrations will take place between July 15 and July 20.
The Oberon procession will start from the RSL Club at 10am next Tuesday morning.
The theme for this year’s World Youth Day is ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.’ taken from Acts 1:8 in the new testament.
This passage occurs after the death and resurrection of Jesus, just before his ascension to the Father. It represents the birth of the Church.
This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity, it is unknown if and when the cross and icon will return to Australia after they leave in July and they will certainly never be in Oberon again. All of Oberon’s residents are invited to join in with the pilgrimage and festivities and invited to experience something that might change your life in ways you have never imagined.
Email a friend