YANGON (UCAN) -- A wave of relief swept through the Myanmar Church's World Youth Day (WYD) 2008 delegation when their prayers were answered and they received their visas at the last moment, two days ahead of their departure.

They were putting final touches to their rendition of the event's theme song and local dances they hoped to perform during the WYD events July 15-20 in Sydney, Australia, when they heard the good news on July 11.

Ko Kyant Tein, Lashio diocese youth president, said the group's receiving their visas from the Australian Embassy was the "happiest moment of his life."

The Myanmar delegation of 24 youths, six priests and three nuns flew to Australia on July 13.

Prior to their departure, members spoke with UCA News of the tension and excitement over getting their visas, their cultural and spiritual preparations, and the WYD 2008 theme song, "Receive the Power."

The pope chose "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8) as the WYD 2008 theme.

Kyant Tein said the team was "very excited" over the opportunity to see the pope face to face.

"It was a burden to wait for the visas, but we never stopped praying and finally God showed his mercy by giving us visas in order to share our culture with the youth of other countries," he said.

All but one of the Church-approved applicants received a visa.

This is the local Church's largest WYD delegation to date. It sent a 20-person team to the last international WYD celebration, in Germany in 2005.

Father Robert Bya Reh, director of the Episcopal Commission for Youth and leader of the team, told UCA News diocesan bishops decided which youth applicants would go under the auspices of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar.

He said the delegates hoped to share their culture with people from other countries, make friends and share Christ's love with others.

Sister Bambina Mu Mu heads the youth ministry in Lashio diocese. She said it had been difficult preparing for the WYD due to financial, transportation and lodging problems, in addition to waiting patiently for the visas.

The Sisters of Charity nun said this is her first time going abroad and she hopes to share her experiences and offer new ideas when she returns.

Niang Suan Kim, an ethnic Chin and youth representative from Hakha diocese, told UCA News that it is also her first time abroad. "Waiting for the visas was just like the time when we waited for the results of the high-school exams that would decide our future," she said.

Suan Kim expects the faith and culture exchange in Australia to broaden the vision of the Myanmar youth and inspire them to be more active in evangelization.

Prior to leaving, the Myanmar delegates practiced traditional and ethnic cultural dances, and the WYD song in both English and Myanmar languages. They attended a morning Mass prior to their departure.

Father Dominic Thet Tin, executive secretary of the bishops' conference, told the team they were going to Australia as representatives of the Myanmar Catholic Church and they must return to Myanmar.

He said that if anybody "stays" in Australia, it will tarnish the reputation of the Myanmar Catholic Church.

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