Xt3 to Cover Live Palm Sunday Mass, Handover of Cross & Icon in Rome
IT News Online Staff
2009-03-20
The Archdiocese of Sydney announced that the Palm Sunday Mass with the Holy Father and the official handover of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon from Sydney to Madrid will be covered live on its international online network xt3.com.
This first-ever live webcast of the ceremony from St Peter's Basilica in Rome will mark the final official event of World Youth Day Sydney 2008.
Xt3 members and non-members will be able to see the event on the xt3.com home page. An instruction page is available on xt3.com with easy to follow steps to view the Mass and handover.
The Archdiocese said youth groups around the country will be able to hold special gatherings in their parishes. All that is required is an Internet connection, computer, speakers and a method of viewing the webcast - television or a large monitor.
The Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell said this new step in digital technology was an exciting move forward in the Church's path of evangelization.
The Palm Sunday Mass, celebrated by Pope Benedict XV1 will start at 6 pm EST followed by the Angelus at 8 pm EST and then the handover of the Cross and Icon on the steps of St Peter's with the Holy Father and representatives from Australia and Madrid. A group of young pilgrims from Australia will travel to Rome to take part in the handover ceremony with a number of young people from Madrid, where WYD2011 will be held.
A revamped Catholic Communications has been working with Viocorp, the Australian online video and digital media specialist to secure this live webcast from Rome.
Viocorp and xt3.com worked together during World Youth Day resulting in a dynamic Web site with now nearly 50,000 members. It is already one of the fastest growing Catholic Web sites in the world and a major legacy of World Youth Day Sydney.
The Director of Catholic Communications, Katrina Lee and representatives of Viocorp will work with the Vatican television network CTV in Rome to provide the coverage for the Web site. They will also provide pictures and interviews with youth from Australia traveling to Rome for the handover as well as with Cardinal Pell.
Catholic Communications said it welcomes the support of Telstra in providing products and services enabling millions worldwide to view the ceremony from Rome. As the official Telecommunications partner of WYD08 and strong supporter of Xt3, Telstra assisted in the delivery of the most technologically advanced World Youth Days to date and it is fitting Telstra is once again involved alongside the Archdiocese of Sydney for the handover ceremony in Rome.
Further details of the continuous live Web site coverage from Rome will be available at a special launch of the "New Look" Catholic Communications next Monday, 23rd March at 10 am hosted by Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney.
The launch will take place in the Crypt of St Mary's Cathedral, bringing together ancient tradition with the latest in technology. It will also include the unveiling of the new, expanded and vibrant Archdiocese Web site.
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