PHOTO BY FIONA BASILE

Days in the Dioceses Melbourne will have a staggering number of event firsts in what will be one of the largest logistical exercises ever staged in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. The Commissioning Mass for DID08 at Telstra Dome on 11 July, at which will gather more than 50,000 pilgrims in one place at one time here in Melbourne, will be a wonderful spiritual occasion for all but will also require a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure it all comes together.

For an event of this size, administering communion alone will be a huge logistical challenge. The Commissioning Mass alone will attract at least 50,000 pilgrims, parishioners, movements and cultures to Telstra Dome for an evening of celebration set to capture the imagination of youth and bring together cultures from all over the world.

World Youth Day is truly a huge logistical event but it is one that will bring much richness, friendship and joy to the lives of many pilgrims visiting Melbourne for Days in the Dioceses.

For more information visit www.did08.com.

FAST FACTS about the COMMISSIONING MASS
In Melbourne alone DID08 will attract the following:
•    Six visiting Cardinals.
•    1000 concelebrating priests.
•    300 Australian priests.
•    100 Bishops.
•    300 ministers to assist with Communion.
•    500 vocalists and musicians making up the choir and band.

To cater for the many pilgrims who will speak different languages, the Prayers of the Faithful will be read in four languages: French, Spanish, Italian and English.
Communion:
•    It will take just 12 minutes to distribute Communion to the 50,000 pilgrims.
•    More than 600 priests will distribute Communion.
•    More than 50,000 hosts (sacramental bread) will be distributed.
transport
Transportation to Sydney is one of the team’s most critical service provisions to our pilgrims on their journey to World Youth Day. The DID08 transport team is responsible for efficiently and safely transporting local and international pilgrims to Sydney in only six days. A fleet of about 910 vehicles has been deployed to transport the great number of pilgrims and the tonnes of luggage and equipment to Sydney in the shortest possible time.
The transport movement incorporates:
•    650 bus movements in 10 days
•    16,000 pilgrims being transported by bus
•    1.4 million kilometres travelled
•    60 trucks and 170 vans in convoy to carry luggage
•    300,000 kilograms of luggage transport
•    3 road stops along the highway for driver and pilgrim breaks
•    Over 415 volunteers working to assist the transport operation