> Follow the cross by checking out the photos submitted by the groups! CLICK HERE!...updated as they come in! Groups, remember to email Kev your digital pix ASAP, so everyone can follow the cross' journey.

HISTORY

In 1984, Pope John Paul II began the tradition of World Youth Day in Rome. He gave to pilgrims a large wooden cross and said to them:

Since 1984, the WYD Cross has made its way around the world, throughout Europe, to parts of the Americas, Asia, Africa, and now Australia, being present at each international celebration of World Youth Day along the way. Before each WYD, the cross takes a year-long journey around the dioceses of the host nation as a means of prayerful preparation for the big event.

OUR TRIBUTE TO THIS WYD TRADITION

In 2008, the last WYD year, to make a special connection with WYD that summer, Bishop Melczek blessed a CYX Cross and it made its way to 17 parishes/clusters before arriving at CYX. With 2011 being another WYD year, the CYX Cross is back!

As with the WYD Cross, the journey begins long before the event, a symbol of the Spiritual journey of preparation pilgrims will take on the road to CYX! In June it will be commissioned and blessed by Bishop Melczek, and from there it will be sent on a journey to all CYX-participating communities! Leaders will be placed in charge of the cross for a minimum of two days, after which they will deliver the cross to the next community, ultimately arriving at Nativity of Our Savior for "Pre-YX" before making its way to Valparaiso University the next morning for CYX!

While the cross is in your hands, you are encouraged to gather with your participants, and use it as a means of prayer, reflection, and preparation for CYX 2011. The cross will be present throughout CYX.

Assistance with transportation of cross available upon request.