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Group photo from the WYD Cross and Marian Icon handover ceremony at Uijeongbu Cathedral on the 28th, presided over by pastor Fr. Lee Seok-jae. / Courtesy of the Catholic Diocese of Uijeongbu

The Catholic Diocese of Uijeongbu held a welcoming ceremony for the "WYD Cross and Marian Icon" at Uijeongbu Cathedral on the 28th, renewing the diocese's commitment to the successful hosting of the 2027 WYD diocesan congress.

According to the Catholic Church on the 30th, the handover ceremony for the WYD Cross and Marian Icon was held at 10 a.m., presided over by Fr. Lee Seok-jae, pastor of Uijeongbu Cathedral. The roughly 330 diocesan priests, religious, and lay faithful gathered there prayed together in one heart, hoping that the month-long diocesan pilgrimage of the WYD symbols and the preparations for the diocesan congress would unfold within God's grace.

Following the handover ceremony, a welcome Mass was offered, presided over by Bishop Sohn Hee-song, Bishop of Uijeongbu. In his homily, Bishop Sohn said, "We are living in a world that is more materially abundant than ever, yet spiritually parched," adding, "If we keep in our hearts the fact that Jesus is always with us through his love that gives itself completely, and that his Mother accompanies us with a merciful heart, we can live joyfully even in a harsh world."

Bishop Sohn said, "Through this time of receiving the Cross and the Marian icon, which carry Jesus's great love and Mary's warm heart, I hope we can draw closer to God and be reborn as believers who rely on Mary." He added, "I especially hope that young people can feel God's infinite love through WYD, and that this can become an occasion for them to use that strength to transform the Church and the world."

During the Mass, veneration of the WYD Cross took place. The priests and faithful came forward to the cross to meditate on Christ's Passion and love.

Yang Seung-a, a volunteer for the 2027 WYD Uijeongbu diocesan congress, expressed her resolve, saying, "I thought about how Jesus must have carried a cross this large and heavy up the hill of Golgotha, and it felt as though I were walking that path with him. Keeping today's feeling in mind, I will work hard to prepare for the diocesan congress so that we can warmly welcome young people from around the world."

The WYD symbols will make a pilgrimage through 42 parishes, shrines, and migrant communities in the Diocese of Uijeongbu until August 26, concluding their pilgrimage schedule at the Church of Penance and Reconciliation.

During this period, the WYD symbols will also meet with young people at "Deanery Youth Day" events held in eight deaneries. Young people in each deanery are preparing cross veneration ceremonies that reflect their deanery's unique character.

On August 15, a "Pre-WYD" event offering an early experience of the diocesan congress will be held at the Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site in Yeoncheon. A youth-only pilgrimage of the symbols will take place at Taepung Observatory, along with a variety of programs including the DMZ International Music Festival, the Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption, and cross veneration.

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Bishop Sohn Hee-song of the Diocese of Uijeongbu conducts the WYD symbols handover ceremony. / Courtesy of the Diocese of Uijeongbu

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Faithful approach the WYD Cross in prayer. / Courtesy of the Diocese of Uijeongbu

                                                                                                        Hwang Eui-joong