Pope Benedict Prays for Refugees on Palm Sunday

Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Palm Sunday Mass in Saint Peter's Square. He also prayed for the many African victims that every year embark on a dangerous sea crossing of the Mediterranean to reach Europe, but fail to reach their destination.

Pope Benedict's thoughts on Palm Sunday were for the thousands of illegal immigrants who every year attempt a perilous journey from Africa to Europe in search of a better life.

During the Angelus prayer, he recalled Africans who just days ago lost their life in the Mediterranean. "We cannot resign ourselves to such tragedies," he said, "which unfortunately, have been taking place for some time."

The head of the Roman Catholic Church said the scope of the problem calls for increasingly urgent strategies coordinated by the European Union and African states. He said it also calls for the adoption of adequate humanitarian measures so immigrants are not compelled to turn to unscrupulous human traffickers.

Earlier, Pope Benedict celebrated Palm Sunday Mass, which marks the start of the Christian Holy Week and commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Under blue skies and bright sunshine, thousands of tourists and faithful from different nationalities waved palm leaves or olive branches during an open air service in Saint Peter's Square.

Palm Sunday mass is also dedicated to young people who celebrate World Youth Day in local dioceses. Many of those in the square Sunday were Australian and Spaniards. At the end of the ceremony, young people from Australia, where the last World Youth Day was held in the presence of the Pope, handed a wooden cross to young people from Madrid, where the next World Youth Day will be celebrated.

The Pope says tomorrow the cross and the icon of the Virgin Mary will head to the Spanish capital for the Good Friday procession. Then it will start a long pilgrimage, visiting the dioceses in Spain, and return to Madrid in the summer of 2011.

Holy Week is one of the busiest times in the Christian calendar for Pope Benedict. He will preside over a number of solemn ceremonies, including the Good Friday remembrance of Christ's crucifixion and a mass on Easter Sunday, when Christians celebrate his resurrection.

Source

On Preparation for World Youth Day in Madrid

"The Pilgrim Cross Brings the Message of Christ to All Youth"

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 5, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered today after Palm Sunday Mass, before praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter's Square. During his address, a delegation from Sydney handed over the World Youth Day Cross to a group of young people from Madrid.

* * *

Yesterday, April 4, the U.N.'s 4th international day for increasing anti-personnel mine awareness was observed. At the present moment, ten years after the treaty banning the use of these devices came into effect, and after the treaty banning cluster bombs was recently presented for signatures, I would like to encourage the countries who have still not yet done so to sign without delay these important instruments of international humanitarian law, which the Holy See has always supported. Moreover, I express my support for any measure intended to guarantee necessary assistance for the victims of these devastating weapons.

Furthermore, I would like to remember, with deep sorrow, our African brothers and sisters, who met their deaths a few days ago in the Mediterranean Sea, while they were trying to find refuge in Europe. We cannot resign ourselves to such tragedies that, unfortunately, repeat themselves time and time again! The phenomenon's dimensions make coordinated strategies between the European Union and African countries more and more urgent, as well as the adoption of adequate humanitarian measures to impede migrants having recourse to lawless traffickers. As I pray for the victims, that the Lord welcome them into his peace, I would like to observe that this problem, subsequently aggravated by the global crisis, will be solved only when African populations can relieve themselves from suffering and wars with the help of the international community.

I now address a special greeting to the 150 delegates -- bishops, priests and lay people -- who in recent days participated in the international meeting on the World Youth Days, organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Thus, there begins the journey of preparation toward the next international gathering of youth, which will take place in August 2011 in Madrid. I have already indicated its theme: "Rooted and Built Up in Christ, Solid in Faith," which is taken from Colossians 2:7. As is tradition, the young people from Australia will give to the young people from Spain the World Youth Day cross, the "pilgrim cross," which brings the message of Christ to all the youth of the world. This "passing on of witness" takes on a highly symbolic value, with which we express immense gratitude to God for the gifts received at the great meeting in Sydney and for those that we will receive at the meeting in Madrid. Tomorrow the cross, accompanied by the icon of the Virgin Mary, will depart for the Spanish capital, and will be present there for the great Good Friday procession. After this a long pilgrimage through the dioceses of Spain will begin, and will end again in Madrid in the summer of 2011. May this cross and this icon of Mary be for all a sign of Christ's invincible love and that of his and our Mother!

[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]

[The Pope greeted the pilgrims in various languages. In English, he said:]

I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors here this Palm Sunday, when we recall the humble entry into Jerusalem of Jesus, our King and Messiah. With vivid memories of my visit to Sydney for World Youth Day, I greet Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, and Bishops Anthony Fisher and Julian Porteous, Auxiliary Bishops of Sydney, who are here together with a large group of young Australians in order to consign to their counterparts from Madrid the World Youth Day Cross and Icon of Our Lady. May the great events of Holy Week strengthen your faith and inspire you to be humble witnesses of charity. Upon each of you present and your families, I invoke God's blessings of peace and wisdom.

And now let us accompany with prayer the handing over of the Cross.

[After the ceremony of the handing over of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon, he said:]

And now we turn with faith to the Virgin Mary, so that she will always watch over the path of the young and that she will help us to live Holy Week well.

Source

How to get an Australian Visa for your Kids!

World Youth Day visa applicants under 18 years of age

If you are under 18 years of age, print out a copy of the parental consent form, which is available on the World Youth Day registration site, and ask your parents or guardians to complete it. 
See also: Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years (81KB PDF file) 

You will also need to submit evidence of your relationship with your parent/guardian.
Example: A copy of your full birth certificate showing the names of both parents.

You will also need to include a copy of identification for your parent/guardian showing their signature.
Example: A passport.

Australian Visa: It all Starts Here, How to go to Australian Embassy in the Philippines

The Australian Visa Office in the Philippines has a Service Delivery Partner (SDP) arrangement. For all visa enquiries:
See: Visa Information and Lodgement
Street Address

Level 23 - Tower 2
RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue
Makati City, 1200
Metro Manila
Philippines 
Postal Address

PO Box 1071 
Makati City, 1200
Metro Manila 
Philippines

For information on mailing or couriering applications
See: Visa Information and Lodgement
Telephone
General enquiries (SDP - VIA Centre) 

63 2 845 9200

Calls to this number are toll-free from within metro Manila. All other calls will attract standard NDD or IDD rates.

Lodgement of Applications (SDP - VIA Centre) 

1909 3622779 (PLDT/Digitel)
1900 3622779 (Globelines)
1903 3622779 (BayanTel)

These numbers are only available to telephones within the Philippines with NDD access, or by calling 109 on a PLDT phone for operator assisted connection. Calls will be billed at PhP 32 per minute plus VAT.
Recorded information 

63 2 757 8340 (DIAC)
Recorded information is available 24 hours a day. Clients with ongoing applications will have an extension number for their case officer and can contact their case officer between 1400 - 1600 hours, Tuesday to Thursday.
Fax

63 2 757 8269 (DIAC Visa Office) 
Email Contact

aus_inquiry@via.ph (SDP - VIA Centre)
immigration.manila@dfat.gov.au (DIAC Visa Office) 
Website

www.philippines.embassy.gov.au 
Client Counter Hours

0830-1500 Mon-Fri (SDP - VIA Centre) for lodging applications
0830–1700 Mon-Fri (SDP - VIA Centre) for general information
0830-12 noon Sat (SDP – VIA Centre) for lodging applications and general information
0900–1200 Tue-Thu (Visa Office) for scheduled appointments only

Access to the Australian Embassy Visa Office is by appointment only - clients need to call the SDP Call Centre to schedule an appointment. 
Client Telephone Hours

0600–2000 Mon-Fri (SDP – Call Centre)
0800–1800 Saturday (SDP – Call Centre)
1400-1600 Mon-Thu (DIAC Visa Office)

Clients with ongoing applications will have an extension number for their case officer and can contact their case officer directly during these hours.

Extra Qantas Flights To Australia For World Youth Day

Qantas has announced the provision of additional flights to Australia to bring more international visitors to the country for World Youth Day, which takes place next July, 2008.

The carrier is planning four extra services, one from Los Angeles and three from Rome, where demand is expected to be very high. Qantas have not operated from Rome since 2003 so this is quite an occasion for the airline, providing as they are direct return flights to Sydney from the Italian capital.

There has already been a large number of advance bookings for the event which is why Qantas feel the need to announce these additional flights, catering for the areas of greatest demand. The airline will also keep a close eye on how the tickets are selling and are quite prepared to offer more flights should they be needed.

This is in contrast to the mass exodus expected from local Aussies to give way to the pilgrims.

Aside: Funny that Qantas is called the "Spirit of Australia".

Tourist visa for World Youth Day for Pinoys and others

Tourist visa for World Youth Day For Philippine citizens and others!

If you hold a passport from certain countries or regions you will be eligible to apply for a streamlined Electronic Travel Authority (ETA): Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States Of America, Vatican City.

Unless you hold an ETA-eligible passport you will need to apply for a Tourist visa in order to attend World Youth Day (WYD). Registered pilgrims will be entitled to apply for a visa free of Australian Government visa application charges by following the process detailed below.

You should also check your local Australian Immigration Office website for any additional requirements.

There are additional requirements for applicants aged under 18 years
See: World Youth Day visa applicants under 18 years of age

To make a paper application follow these steps:
1. Register online to attend World Youth Day Visit: World Youth Day
2. Print a copy of the application form, complete all questions and sign it. 
3. Download Form 48R Application To Visit Australia For Tourism Or Other Recreational Activities (100KB PDF file) 

Note: This form is also available in several languages. Forms in other languages

The following supporting documentation will need to be provided with your application: 
1. Your passport – including instructions on how you would like it to be returned to you.
Example: Prepaid courier or self-addressed envelope.
2. Two passport sized photographs - no more than 6 months old.
3. Evidence that you will be able to support yourself while in Australia. This could include, any fundraising you have undertaken, bank statements for at least three months prior to the application, or evidence of financial support from a sponsoring organisation or family member/ relative.
4. Evidence of current and ongoing educational enrolment and/or employment in your current country of residence.
5. Evidence of residence status if you are not a national of the country you applying from.

Check your local Australian Immigration Office or Service Delivery Partner website for any additional requirements. Every country is slightly different, so your local Immigration Office website is the most accurate source of information. 

Note: It is important to do this otherwise there may be delays in processing your application.

See: Immigration Offices outside Australia

Print a copy of the World Youth Day coversheet, which you obtained when registering on the World Youth Day website, and complete it.

Lodge your application with supporting documents at the nearest Australian Immigration Office. 

Note: Not all Australian diplomatic missions have an Immigration office. 
See: Immigration Offices outside Australia

To assist in efficient processing of applications for World Youth Day please do not submit your application before 1 November 2007 or after 1 June 2008.

More information about Tourist visas is available. 
See: Tourist visa

Free visas for Youth Day pilgrims

SUPER GREAT NEWS! And a great move for Aussie!

The Federal Government and the Catholic Church have agreed to waive visa fees for foreign tourists travelling to Sydney for next year's Catholic World Youth Day.

Under the agreement, pilgrims will be given a free, three-month visa and there will an unlimited supply for each country.

It is designed to help organisers cope with the 140,000 overseas visitors expected for the Catholic festival next July.

Assistant Immigration Minister Teresa Gambaro says the event will bring huge economic benefits to the country.

"You'll have an enormous amount of visitors coming to Australia," she said.

"We will be able to showcase our country.

"It will bring enormous tourism and other benefits to the economy."

The Federal Government has already committed $35 million to the event, which will be held at Sydney's Randwick Racecourse.

But the site of the event recently caused concern among racing officials with fears World Youth Day organisers could inadvertently spread equine influenza.

The last World Youth Day was held in Germany in 2005 and attracted more than one million people.

From:ABC News
Psst. Don't tell this to Filipinos.