About 800 young delegates from Hong Kong recently gathered for a special send-off ceremony presided over by their bishop before heading off over the next few days to attend World Youth Day (WYD) celebrations. During the ceremony on Sunday, the participants discussed how they have been preparing themselves for the event, which will be held in Madrid, August 16-21. The sharing session was a new addition to what is now a traditional ceremony, said Mabel Wong, a Diocesan Youth Commission officer. The young delegates come from many sources including the diocesan commission, 14 other Religious communities, schools and lay groups. The session started with members of the Franciscan group singing the WYD theme song. “It is special that we are from a small city, yet we have different communities sending a large delegation to join the WYD,” said Wong. “Nevertheless, we share the same identity. We are all youths from Hong Kong. That is why we organized the sharing session. It also helps young people from different communities get to know each other,” said the Church worker. The participants later joined their families and friends at a Mass presided by Bishop John Tong Hon of Hong Kong and the 21 priests who will accompany them on their trip. Clare Cheung, part of the 25-strong Legion of Mary group, said the ceremony served as a reminder that she needs to prepare spiritually before setting out for the pilgrimage. She believes the young participants were chosen by Jesus to take part. This, she says, has given her a sense of purpose to bear witness when she is sharing her faith with other youths from around the world. The first group from Saints Peter and Paul parish departed for Madrid yesterday. This is the largest number of delegates since Hong Kong started sending youths to WYD in 1995, which was held in Manila. END Related reports: Nepal will not attend WYD, say officials Delegates to miss World Youth Day trip Young people to showcase culture Visa ban frustrates young Catholics
