The Final WYD Mass.

"We have seen the Church for what she truly is: the Body of Christ, a living community of love, embracing people of every race, nation and tongue, of every time and place, in the unity born of our faith in the Risen Lord" the pontiff said, speaking about the experience of World Youth Day in Australia in his speech.

The Holy Father addressed the young people by placing the WYD08 theme in context. It was at the Ascension that the Risen Lord told his disciples: "You will be my witnesses ... to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). 

Similarly, as the Vicar of Christ prepares to leave Sydney tomorrow at 10am, he asks "What will you leave to the next generation? Are you building your lives on firm foundations, building something that will endure?" 

The Pope told the young people that the Lord is asking them to be "prophets of this new age, messengers of his love, drawing people to the Father and building a future of hope for all humanity."

"The world needs this renewal! In so many of our societies, side by side with material prosperity, a spiritual desert  is spreading: an interior emptiness, an unnamed fear, a quiet sense of despair."

The answer to this emptiness and search for meaning is that which only love can give, he said and is revealed in the Gospel.

"This [the ultimate meaning in life] is the great and liberating gift which the Gospel brings: it reveals our dignity as men and women created in the image and likeness of God. It reveals humanity's sublime calling, which is to find fulfillment in love. It discloses the truth about man and the truth about life," he said in his address.

Thousands of these pilgrims he addressed, had taken part last night in the 'sleep out under the stars' after the Evening Vigil led by His Holiness.  Many however, too excited to sleep, stayed awake in adoration tents, in prayerful communion with other pilgrims, or in joyous dancing and chanting across the precinct. 

Many would have woken up to sung matins, or the helicopter fly-over by the Pope.

When the Pope landed again, and got into the Pope-mobile, thousands flocked to the barriers to get a glimpse of the Pope on this historic occasion at Randwick.

Randwick Racecourse is the same site that was used for the Papal Mass in 1970, 1986 and 1995, and today's Final Mass will also be recorded in history, both as the first WYD to take place in Sydney and as part of Pope Benedict XVI's first visit to Australia.

Incorporating several traditions in the Mass, a Gregorian chant was sung as the Introit, while a Fijian Gospel procession group from the Sacred Heart Parish in Levuka, the old capital of Fiji. The WYD08 Mass setting, Missa Benedictus qui venit, composed by Sydney Supreme Court Judge, George Palmer was used throughout. 

Twenty four pilgrims from Australia and around the world, were confirmed at today's Final Mass, giving the Pope the opportunity to expressly teach and preach about the power of this sacrament.

In reference to these confirmands and to all who have been confirmed, the Holy Father in his address said "life will never be the same again" for those who will receive Confirmation.

"Being 'sealed with the Spirit' [confirmed] means not being afraid to stand up for Christ, letting the truth of the Gospel permeate the way we see, think and act, as we work for the triumph of the civilization of love," the pontiff said.

Cardinal George Pell also said that "One mission is better than a thousand options," advising the young people to make a decision about their vocation whether it be to the priesthood, consecrated life, or marriage and family.

THE NEXT WYD - MADRID, SPAIN, 2011 

At the close of the Final Mass in celebration of the 23rd World Youth Day in Sydney, Pope Benedict XVI announced that the next World Youth Day would be held in three years time, in Madrid, Spain.

Image courtesy of WYD 2008 ACN 118060987 as Trustee for the World Youth Day 2008 Trust ABN 74 422 698 032