Hundreds gathered to see the World Youth Day cross, icon and message stick pass through Fairfield on Friday.
THE World Youth Day tour travelled through Fairfield last Friday as part of the 15-day tour leading up to official events in Sydney from July 15 to 20.
Father Chris Ryan, who has travelled more than 70,000 kilometres with the cross since it arrived in Sydney last July, led group prayer sessions through the day.
``This cross was the only religious symbol allowed onto Ground Zero after September 11 and young people prayed to it for peace; it crossed Freedom Bridge, the no-man's land between North and South Korea, where young people prayed for the reunification of their homeland,'' Fr Ryan said.
``It visited the genocide memorial in Rwanda and has been the young people's cross since the first World Youth Day in 1985.
``Since it's been to rural and remote communities around Australia we've been saying it's months, weeks and now just days until World Youth Day, when it will be the focal point for more than 500,000 pilgrims in Sydney,'' Fr Ryan said.
With about 20 residents starting the walk at Joe Broad Reserve, Our Lady of Mt Carmel students Rachel Toy, 8, and Ashleigh Temple, 8, led the procession as flag bearers.
Rachel's mother, Helen, said the family made a special effort for the cross.
``We went down to Darling Harbour to welcome the cross when it arrived a year ago,'' Mrs Toy said.
``I took the day off work today to be here and I'm taking the week off to go to all the World Youth Day events with my elder daughter who is in year 7.''
About 100 residents gathered to venerate the cross at its first stop at Our Lady of Mt Carmel. Student teachers Lorena Coletta, Laurice Potter and Natalie Elisha were preparing classrooms for the coming pilgrims when the cross arrived.
``We're all going in as registered pilgrims, but it's great to be able to get this close to the cross now, because we probably won't have the chance when everyone is all together,'' Ms Potter said.
Louise Farmillo, 13, was on crutches but came to see the cross, with her mother Rosemary noting the timeliness of the visit.
``It's important for events like this to bring young people together and allow them to focus on their faith,'' Mrs Farmillo said.
``Often there are too many other distractions in their lives.''
Wakeley resident Stefica Zunic only intended to see the cross at Our Lady of Mt Carmel, but said she couldn't resist following the procession all the way to Freeman College where it stopped for lunch.
``It's the first time I've seen the cross,'' Mrs Zunic said.
``It was very emotional, there are no words for how amazing the feeling was,'' Mrs Zunic said.
Rain throughout the day saw the procession arrive at Allambie Reserve, Edensor Park, in cars rather than on foot, but around 60 residents were not deterred by the weather.
Michelle Aulsebrook and her sons David, 13, and Matthew, 16, with Kate Gaal, 16, have all been involved with the cross before.
``We're devout Catholics, but sometimes you can just live your faith without reaching out to others, and it's been an amazing experience to put our faith out there and see others doing it too,'' Mrs Aulsebrook said.
The final stop saw a 200-strong reception at Mary Immaculate Church at Bossley Park.
Club Marconi will hold a multicultural youth festival this Sunday. Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Julian Porteous at 10.30am followed by a carnival with food, drinks and rides and fireworks in the evening.
Details: 0405 506 115.
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