Mini-World Youth Day! 2017

DURBAN 2017 

After the first successful Mini World Youth Day held in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg (Don Bosco Youth Centre), the Bishops of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference –SACBC made a resolution to have another Mini World Youth Day. 

Dioceses were required to bid to host the event. The bid was awarded to the Archdiocese of Durban to host the event. 

There was a significant increase in attendance from the last MWYD in Johannesburg. The MWYD in Durban was attended by 3750 of young people from all the 29 dioceses of the SACBC. This included young people from neighboring countries like Zimbabwe and Mozambique. 

The registration package available was R2250-00 per pilgrim and pilgrims were accommodated in hotels around the city. 

The Days in Parishes were held in the Archdiocese of Durban and the Diocese of Eshowe and Mariannhill from 3rd -6th December 2017. 

The main event was from the 6th -10th December 2017.

The theme of the event was “The Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is His name”       Luke 1:49 

OVERVIEW OF THE HOSTING DIOCESE: ARCHDIOCESE OF DURBAN  

History details that the Archdiocese started back in the early 1850s as a Vicariate Apostolic of Natal since then it has been under five bishops whom served it very well including the well-known late Bishop Denis Hurley OMI. The background informs that it was elevated to an Archdiocese since 1946.  

The Archdiocese of Durban leads the Metropolitan of Durban and currently it is under the leadership of His Eminence Cardinal Wilfred Napier OFM who joined the diocese in 1992 as its Archbishop. He was assisted by the late Auxiliary Bishop, Right Rev. Bishop Barry Wood OMI as the Vicar general of the diocese.  

It serves seven deaneries that are made up from 74 parishes. These spread through the civil districts of north Umlaas River, Durban, Escort, Inanda, Kranskoa, Lions River, Lower Tugela, Maphumulo, Umvoti, Weener, Begville and part of Umsinga.   

OVERVIEW OF THE HOSTING CITY / TOWN: DURBAN  

History of Durban specifies that it is formally known as Natal Colony and territory of the Zulu King, Shaka. Durban is allocated along the KwaZulu Natal coastline. South African History online informs that its history is traced back from 1497 with the arrival of Vasco da Gama and also with the establishment of the city in 1880s. Natal in those years was seen as a tribal land by the Zulus. Its importance was and still the sea point.  

It is the busiest port in South Africa, a major tourism center because of the warm subtropical climate and extensive beaches. It is loved mostly for its amazing tourism sites such as Ushaka Marine World, Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World, Moses Mabhida Stadium and more.  

History details that the Archdiocese started back in the early 1850s as a Vicariate Apostolic of Natal since then it has been under five bishops whom served it very well including the well-known late Bishop Denis Hurley OMI. The background informs that it was elevated to an Archdiocese since 1946.  

The Archdiocese of Durban leads the Metropolitan of Durban and currently it is under the leadership of His Eminence Cardinal Wilfred Napier OFM who joined the diocese in 1992 as its Archbishop. He was assisted by the late Auxiliary Bishop, Right Rev. Bishop Barry Wood OMI as the Vicar general of the diocese.  

It serves seven deaneries that are made up from 74 parishes. These spread through the civil districts of north Umlaas River, Durban, Escort, Inanda, Kranskoa, Lions River, Lower Tugela, Maphumulo, Umvoti, Weener, Begville and part of Umsinga.   

Oh God our Father! 

As we your sons and daughters prepare for our pilgrimage of faith,

We ask you to give us grace and courage to step forward in faith, 

hope and love to encounter and walk with your Son, Jesus. 

Lord Jesus Christ,

Help us to hear your call, and to discern our vocation,

So that when we meet as young people,

We  may support each other by sharing our faith experiences,

Our dreams, our longings for the future. 

Give us the courage to answer your call to be true disciples. 

Holy Spirit we implore you, 

Empower and transform us, so that we may show the face of Jesus

To everyone we meet on our journey of life. 

Mary, conceived without sin, we thank you for teaching 

Us to express our gratitude by saying: 

“The Mighty has done great things for me and Holy is His Name!” 

Remind us to respond in wonder and awe with Elizabeth:

“How can it be, that the Mother of my Lord

Should come to me!” 

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amem. 

History of Durban specifies that it is formally known as Natal Colony and territory of the Zulu King, Shaka. Durban is allocated along the KwaZulu Natal coastline. South African History online informs that its history is traced back from 1497 with the arrival of Vasco da Gama and also with the establishment of the city in 1880s. Natal in those years was seen as a tribal land by the Zulus. Its importance was and still the sea point.  

It is the busiest port in South Africa, a major tourism center because of the warm subtropical climate and extensive beaches. It is loved mostly for its amazing tourism sites such as Ushaka Marine World, Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World, Moses Mabhida Stadium and more.