BANGKOK (UCAN) -- The preparation program for Thai youths who will join the World Youth Day celebration in Sydney stresses reflection on the Holy Spirit, mission and the spiritual significance of the event, a Church official says.

Father Suksan Chaopaknam, secretary of the Thai bishops' Catholic Commission for Youth, told UCA News recently that a 75-member Catholic delegation from Thailand is preparing to go to Australia for the July 15-20 World Youth Day program.

A group of tribal youths -- 30 Karen and one Lahu -- forms the bulk of the delegates. Most of them serve as catechists in their communities in Chiang Mai and Nakhon Sawan dioceses, northern Thailand. Joining them are 23 youths representing six dioceses, and six foreign volunteers serving in the country. Twelve priests and three nuns are accompanying them. Some Buddhist youths are also going with the delegation.

Members of the Thai contingent have met twice for initial briefings and spiritual preparation, March 7-9 at St. Joseph College Seminary, west of Bangkok, and May 3-5 at Pataravitaya School in Tak province, Nakhon Sawan diocese. A third meeting is planned just ahead of their departure. Most of them are scheduled to leave for Sydney on July 7.

Father Suksan explained the main goals of the delegation's participation.

"Beside the opportunity to exchange faith experience with youths from other parts of the world, we also expect our delegates to develop a more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. We hope the Holy Spirit will inspire them to bear witness to the Gospel, especially in their daily life, and to share what they gain from their experience with others in their local Church," he said.

The priest said the Thai Church has done more this time than in the past to prepare the youths, both spiritually and regarding practical matters such as travel, registration and country information.

For spiritual preparation, he elaborated, the delegates have studied the WYD 2008 theme, learned about the 10 patron saints and reflected on Pope Benedict XVI's message for WYD 2008.

Pope Benedict chose for this year's theme: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses " (Acts 1:8). The underlying theme for spiritual preparation, as suggested by the WYD organizers, is Holy Spirit and mission, according to Father Suksan.

The delegates have also practiced traditional dances and special WYD songs they plan to perform in Sydney, including a Thai song.

Following the more intensive preparation, Father Suksan observed the delegates "are a lot more enthusiastic than in the past."

The youth ministry official said a consistent message running through the preparation activities, which have included English communication practice, map reading, and guidelines for cultural exchange as representatives of Thai culture, has been to "impress on the delegates the difference between pilgrimage and tourism: What we are going for?"

The delegates went through a selection process involving the youth chaplain and Church youth organizations in their respective dioceses. Some of them spoke with UCA News about their feelings and hopes ahead of the big event.

Duangchan Chanpanyaphon, 24, from Tak, along the northwestern border with Myanmar, feels "excited and anxious at the same time" at the prospect of meeting and sharing experiences with other Catholic youths from various places and cultural backgrounds.

"I worry about communicating, but I have been practicing English and the Mass responses, and praying to the Holy Spirit helps me," she said, adding that she hopes seeing the pope will strengthen her faith.

Pranom Manee, 26, a Karen from Chiang Mai province, wants to bring the WYD spirit home. "I hope to share what I receive with the youth who do not have this opportunity, by setting up a camp," she said.

"World Youth Day isn't for Catholics only, but for all youths, ethnic communities and religions," observed Pacharadon Srinavarat, 21, a Buddhist student at Thammasat University in Bangkok. He is paying his own way and hopes to "see the pope and the power of youths, and join in cultural exchange and activities with youths from around the world."

Pacharadon too plans to share his experience after he returns, through writing and on the Internet.

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