KUCHING, Malaysia (UCAN) -- Kuching archdiocese has been preparing for World Youth Day (WYD) 2008 with various activities including a retreat for delegates and parish- and archdiocesan-level celebrations for all youths.

The archdiocese based in the capital of Sarawak state, eastern Malaysia, is sending about 50 delegates aged 16-35 to the WYD celebration in Sydney, Australia. Youth leaders Stella Sayang and Benjamin Adrian are heading the delegation accompanied by Father Simon Poh, chairperson of the archdiocesan Commission for Mission and Evangelisation.

Since the beginning of the year, the delegates have been preparing for the July 15-20 event with prayers, a pilgrimage and a retreat.

About 40 of them made the retreat June 28-29 at the Catholic Memorial Pilgrimage Centre on Mount Singai, 25 kilometers southwest of Kuching. They held discussions, played games and listened to Father Poh talk about their being "pilgrims" in Australia, they told UCA News.

According to Bryan Yap, 16, previous WYD participants also shared their experiences. He said the delegates began nine days of novena prayers on June 30 as their last formal preparatory activity before leaving for Sydney on July 10. They are scheduled to return on July 21.

During the retreat they divided into groups for sharing and to prepare presentations on the official WYD 2008 patrons: Saints Therese of Lisieux, Faustina Kowalska, Maria Goretti and Peter Chanel; Blesseds Peter To Rot, Mary MacKillop, Pier Giorgio Frassati and Teresa of Kolkata; the late Pope John Paul II; and Our Lady of the Southern Cross.

Earlier, on June 14, more than 20 delegates went on a day trip to Camp Permai in Santubong, about 20 kilometers north of Kuching. Activities there focused on their getting to know one another, participants said.

Youth delegates who recently spoke with UCA News say spiritual renewal is the main reason for going to Sydney.

"I'm looking for renewal of faith, to search for something 'bigger' in life and live a Christ-based life more excitingly. I hope to strengthen relationships and meet other young people sharing the same faith from all over the world," said Sophia Ngiaw.

Yap looks forward to meeting Pope Benedict XVI and wants the trip to be a "turning point" in his life. "I also hope to find new friends who share the same desire of knowing and seeking the Heavenly Father," he said.

As personal preparation, he added, "I've prayed and sought God's guidance, and physically I started jogging and exercising regularly." He pointed out that organizers have advised delegates to be fit enough to walk eight kilometers during the celebration. "I can't wait for this once-in-a-lifetime experience," Yap remarked.

Adrian Ho, also 16, said he registered for WYD "for fun, but this gradually changed into an eagerness to grow and know more of the Church's teachings." Now he is "anxious, feeling very excited to attend such an extremely huge Christian gathering."

Earlier in the year, the archdiocese held six parish-level and one archdiocesan-level celebration on the WYD 2008 theme: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8).

Archbishop John Ha Tiong Hock of Kuching had called on youth leaders and the archdiocesan youth commission to bring the WYD pilgrim experience to all local youths, since only 50 of them are going to Australia.

According to Father Felix Au, chairperson of the archdiocese's Youth and Vocation Commission, the local celebrations aimed to gather all Catholic youths, of diverse backgrounds and ethnic groups, to build solidarity. Activities included catechesis on the sacraments and vocational discernment.

Archbishop Ha launched the celebrations on Feb. 2 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Kuching, 980 kilometers east of Kuala Lumpur.

At the culminating archdiocese-level celebration that started on April 12, about 1,400 young people gathered at Mount Singai for a youth festival that included prayers, meditation, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and a vocation expo.

The following morning, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Bangkok-based apostolic delegate to Malaysia, celebrated Sunday Mass for the youth and nearby residents, around 1,700 people in all.

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