World Youth Day 2008

Journey of Cross, Icon and Message Stick

Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, Melbourne - 2nd May, 2008

Accompanied by Aboriginal Clapping Sticks, the Penola students proudly carried the Cross and Icon from Australian Catholic University, across busy Victoria Parade and along the cobbled Providence Lane to Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, where it was warmly welcomed by about 130 Josephites : Sisters, Associates and Students.

The theme of our ritual focussed on the Cross in Mary MacKillop's life.  MacKillop College Werribee students, accompanied by their teacher, led the singing throughout the ritual.

The Mount St Joseph College students provided a very simple, moving dramatisation of the Gospel.

Those present were encouraged to take their time to prayerfully venerate the Cross, Icon and Message Stick.  The invitation was taken seriously, and this segment of the ritual evolved into a period of deep quiet and reverence.

Despite the inclement weather, our 'Josephite' time with the World Youth Day Cross, Icon and Message Stick proved to be a wonderful event.