As part of a 15-day tour leading up to celebrations in Sydney on July 15, the route will take in local schools where preparations are under way to host hundreds of international pilgrims.

Our Lady of Mt Carmel primary school will accommodate more than 500 pilgrims.

John the Baptist Primary will be taking in 440 while 500 will stay at Freeman College and Mary Immaculate Primary School will host 280.

WYD2008 co-ordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher is calling on residents to register and join one of Sydney's longest street processions.

``After travelling around Australia since July 1, 2007, the WYD Cross, Icon and Message Stick will arrive in Sydney for a momentum-building walk through local footpaths, parks and landmarks,'' Bishop Fisher said.

Freeman College's WYD co-ordinator, Michelle Elliott, said the construction of the school's own cross had also contributed to building momentum.

``With nearly all of our students over 16 years old registering as pilgrims to participate in city events in July, the buzz has been building at Freeman,'' Miss Elliott said.

``The dedication of our students really showed when we hosted the cross and icon overnight in April, with more than 6000 students from other schools passing through to venerate the cross and our students staying overnight to see it at 1am.''

Starting in Liverpool, the procession will move to Our Lady of Mt Carmel in Mt Pritchard, Freeman College, Bonnyrigg Heights and conclude at Edensor Park.

Details: www.wyd2008.org