|
| |
Wollongong to host cross, icon
By LT Bill Heck
Volume 50, No. 16, September 06, 2007 |
| |
|
As part of their global pilgrimage ahead of World Youth Day in Sydney next year, the World Youth cross and icon will be aboard HMAS Wollongong on the Great Barrier Reef on September 22.
In 1984 Pope John Paul II entrusted the 3.8m-high wooden cross and later the “icon of Mary” – a painting of Mary and the baby Jesus – to the youth of the world as symbols of “Christ’s love and humanity”.
The Pope’s instruction was to take them to every corner of the world and on August 20, for the first time, they visited an ADF facility – Canungra.
Bishop Max Davies, Bishop for the Military Ordinariate, welcomed the Vatican treasures. While at Kokoda Barracks, the religious objects were taken to seven stations, each with a focus on where ADF members were currently on operations and prayers were offered at each point. At the final station, which represented the sacrifice of those who have died during military service, a piper played a haunting rendition of Amazing Grace and the crowd joined in voice.
“From when we picked up the cross and icon, to when we handed them over on their journey, many hundreds of young people had the opportunity to see a little of the spiritual side of military service,” Bishop Davies said.
The religious artifacts will be in Townsville on September 16 and in Darwin on September 30. |
| |
|
