The are many reasons why we believe that making a pilgrimage to Australia in 2008 will be a great experience for Catholic military members:

>> YOUTH AND ENERGY - Australia is a relatively "young" nation. We may not have as much Catholic history as Europe. However, like the young people who will come to our shores, our nation is full of energy and ready to share the Holy Spirit with the world. Our country may not have spectacular "Cologne-like" cathedrals and bascilicas, but our faith is strong inside the humblest of chapels. Young Australian Catholics are extremely excited about hosting World Youth Day.

>> SYDNEY - The Olympic Games in 2000 has given the world a taste of the beauty of Sydney. The Lord has blessed our country with a "world-class" city of over 4 million people. Sydney harbour is one of the most beautiful in the world and the Olympic Games have proven that our transport system and facilities are capable of handling the large World Youth Day crowds. Venues such as Darling Harbour and the Olympic Park will be places where you will be able to share your spiritual and cultural experiences with the world.

>> MULTICULTURALISM - People from many different countries and continents have come and call Australia their home. At World Youth Day, you will have a chance to experience the diversity of cultures (from our native Aboriginal brothers and sisters, to our Lebanese and Asian mates) which makes Australia one of the most open and friendliest societies in the world.

>> PEACE AND GOODWILL BETWEEN FORCES - During the "Days in the Defence Diocese" program, the quiet and tranquil surroundings of Canberra will provide a peaceful environment for military pilgrims to pray, as well as, interact in social settings. By living closely with people from other military forces, you will have an opportunity to develop life-long friendships with military people from around the world. There is no better catalyst for peace than goodwill and Christ's love between soldiers, sailors and airmen/women.

>> OUR DEVOTION TO MARY - Mother Mary plays an important part in every Catholic's faith. This is moreso for the military as Mary, Help of Christians, is our patroness. She intercedes our prayers of peace and hope to her Son, Jesus. In Sydney, You will visit St Mary's Cathedral which is the spiritual home of Sydney's Catholic community. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney, George Cardinal Pell, and is a beautiful sandstone building which stands on the site of Australia's first chapel. In addition, military pilgrims may have opportunities to spend time praying at the Marian shrine at Penrose Park and at the Schoenstatt shrine of Mary, located in Sydney's western suburbs.

>> NATURAL WONDERS - The Australian "outback", especially the Blue Mountains National Park located to the west of Sydney, has some of world's most amazing natural landscape. Don't forget to bring your cameras to capture evidence of God's gift of creation and life. Also, if you pray hard enough, you may also see kangaroos and koalas!!!

>> THE HOLY SPIRIT - You will be sharing the Holy Spirit with 500,000 to 1 million other Catholics!!!