Personal registrations to the World Youth Day that will be held in Sydney from 15th to 20th July 2008 open today. Registrations open exactly one year after final Mass, which will be celebrated by Benedict XVI at the Randwick race-course and which an estimated number of 500,000 people will attend. As reported by the organisers, young people registered as groups are already 137 thousand, and now personal registrations will add up to such figure. The schedule of the WYD, which the subscribers can join, includes, as well as final Mass celebrated by the Pontiff, the welcome celebration with card. George Pell, the Way of the Cross, and the pilgrimage to the Randwick race-course for a vigil of prayer with the Pope. "These events will be open to the public, and regular subscribers will be seated first, as availability of seats will be limited", states the executive manager of the WYD08, Danny Casey. The opening of the personal registrations will be celebrated with a ceremony, to be held tonight in the Church of Saint Patrick, in Sydney. Participants can be the first to register and watch a video message, in which the Pope invites the young to attend the WYD. Registrations to be made via the website: www.wyd2008.org.
