The Armidale Diocese has had a tradition of combining with other Dioceses to plan pilgrimages to World Youth Day. For World Youth Day Madrid 2011, I am happy to announce that the Armidale Diocese will be arranging a pilgrimage to Madrid with the Lismore Diocese and our team is well on the way with plans for Madrid 2011.

Many people, especially young people from the Diocese of Armidale and the Diocese of Lismore have participated in World Youth Day in Toronto, Rome, Cologne and Sydney. This will be our largest international pilgrimage so far, with our experience of the great event in Sydney driving our enthusiasm towards the pilgrimage to Spain. When our Lord said that He had come to cast fire on the earth, we can see a dramatic modern sign of that fire in the growing enthusiasm for World Youth Days. The Church is young, the Church is alive, and the faith of Christ fires young hearts, lives and minds now as powerfully as it has ever done.

I invite people young and the young at heart to make the decision to join our combined pilgrimage for another memorable experience of Christ among us in the great WYD celebrations, and in our companions. Viva Cristo Rey!

Sincerely in Christ our Lord,

Most Reverend Luc Matthys
Bishop of Armidale