Sydney’s devotion to Our Lady - St Mary’s Cathedral is the spiritual home of Sydney’s Catholic community. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Sydney, and stands on the site of the first Catholic Chapel in Australia. Constructed in local sandstone, the “Gothic Revival” style of its architecture is reminiscent of the great medieval cathedrals of Europe. St Mary’s is not only a great legacy from the past, however: it is a vital part of the present spiritual and cultural life of the city and the nation. The Cathedral is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Immaculate Mother of God, Help of Christians.

Local Shrines to support pilgrimage - As well as St Mary’s Cathedral, there are other shrines that might form pilgrimage walks: Shrine of Blessed Mary Mackillop (Sydney’s local saint beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995), St Patrick’s Church Hill (the site of the earliest Catholic devotions in Australia, where the laity kept alive the faith by praying before the reserved Blessed Sacrament when there were no priests in the convict period), St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta (the newest Cathedral in the southern hemisphere) and Villa Maria (the place where the body of the protomartyr of Oceania, St Peter Chanel, was laid in state for a week during its journey back to France for burial).

Diversity of cultures - Australia is one of the most multicultural societies in the world and Sydney is one of the country’s most multicultural cities. Therefore young people from all nations will be welcomed and made to feel at home.

First Papal Visit to Australia - Australians love to welcome the Holy Father to their shores. In past times the Church in Australia has rolled out the welcome mat for Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and can’t wait to welcome Pope Benedict XVI in 2008