Johannesburg 2015
JOHANNESBURG 2015
The first SACBC Mini World Youth Day was held in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, Don Bosco Youth Centre, from 3rd – 6th December 2015.
The theme of the pilgrimage was “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy” Matthew 5:7
The pilgrims had the following registration packages to pick from:
- Tents – R500 per pilgrim
- Don Bosco Dormitories – R750 per pilgrim
*The packages were inclusive of meals.
Youth in tents were requested to bring their own sleeping bags and bedding
Youth in Dormitories, will have to bring their own bedding, the Centre will provide a bed and mattress.
The pilgrimage was attended by a total of 603 pilgrims from all the 29 dioceses of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC)
Durban 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.