Volume 19, Issue 11-12

Days in the Dioceses (DID08) is a celebration of faith hosted in the dioceses throughout Australia and New Zealand.

As a response to the announcement by Pope Benedict XVI to host the next World Youth Day (WYD08) in Australia in 2005, Days in the Dioceses Melbourne was formed as an opportunity to welcome pilgrims to Melbourne and Victoria prior to their onward pilgrimage to WYD08 in Sydney.

In Melbourne DID08 is an inspiring gift to our visiting and local pilgrims and a rediscovery of our Catholic Faith.

Days in the Dioceses – or, as formerly referred to at previous World Youth Days, Days of Encounter – is an opportunity for local exchange with other young people. Young people in the communities and parishes around Melbourne have the chance to dialogue, exchange and build friendships with young people of a similar age and background as well as participate in our hospitality program, known as Melbourne Stay. Foreign guests are able to share in the everyday lives of others and can learn more about the diversity of the living Church that exists in Melbourne.

Days in the Dioceses offers pilgrims a complete program of events and activities, taking in tourist, spiritual, cultural, musical and life-changing experiences. The DID08 program offers participants a complete pilgrim experience of youth interaction, pilgrim sharing of faith and travel en route to WYD08 Sydney.

DID08 offers a rich experience for pilgrims on their journey to Sydney. In WYD events throughout the world since its inception in 1984, pilgrims have reflected on their experiences in the Days in the Dioceses events as their most precious and memorable.

The mission of the Days in the Dioceses Melbourne is to serve and inspire young people, both local and international, on pilgrimage to Sydney. We aim to give the pilgrims the best possible experiences and development opportunities through:

•    Celebrating our Catholicism in the living Church of Melbourne.
•    Providing welcoming hospitality for pilgrims.
•    Creating spaces where the gifts of life and faith are exchanged.
•    Simple and authentic Gospel witness.

We aim to leave international youth and the youth of Melbourne with a lasting memory of their experiences of Days in the Dioceses Melbourne. To fulfill its mission, Days in the Dioceses Melbourne acknowledges dependence on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Melbourne DID08 Office wishes all participants the best during their Days in the Dioceses experience in Melbourne.