World Youth Day (WYD) pilgrims planning to sleep out at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse tonight are being encouraged to rug up, with temperatures expected to fall to as low as 7C. “We really have to get the message across strongly for people to warm up,” NSW Deputy Premier John Watkins said. Ambulance Service of NSW chief executive Greg Rochford said if people were ill-prepared for the weather, there may be serious health consequences. “The minimum (temperature) is predicted to be 7C and at that temperature it is possible to suffer from hypothermia,” Mr Rochford said.
“We’d encourage everyone to wear a hat and extra layers of clothing and more importantly, don’t ignore shivering. “Shivering is a sign your body needs to warm up. “Continue to eat, to drink and to keep active. Anyone who can’t keep warm seek assistance.” Mr Watkins said more than 500,000 pilgrims were expected at Randwick Racecourse and its surrounds for tomorrow’s papal mass, the final event on the WYD calendar.

WYD YOUTH VIGIL WITH POPE BENEDICT XVI (3 HOURS)
XXIII WORLD YOUTH DAY 2008
Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse
July 19, 2008 4:30PM Manila Time
(4:30 AM EST / 1:30 PM PCT / 6:30 PM AEST)

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BLOG COVERAGE UPDATED BY THE MINUTE (All times based on Manila timezone [+8:00]. Sydney is 2 hours ahead of Manila)

• 4:48 PM – Thousands of Pilgrims gathered at Randwick Racecourse as they wait for the Holy Father for the Youth Vigil. A mini concert is staged prior to the Pope’s arrival. The Place is in total Catholic Party atmosphere

• 5:14 PM – The Holy Father just arrived at the Vigil. Vigil begins

• 5:18 PM – The Hail Mary is recited in 4 different languages by international pilgrims

• 5:20 PM – Light from the Paschal candle is passed on throughout the nations from the Holy Father, to the aboriginal candle bearer, to the 12 representatives of the Nations of Asia and the Pacific

• 5:30 PM – The testimonies of 7 international pilgrims representing the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit commences.

• 5:40 PM – Goosebumps…! A deaf-mute from Sydney gives her testimony through sign languages as an interpreter interprets her signs.

• 6:00 PM – Pope Gives his Message

• 6:30 PM – Benediction starts

• 7:00 PM – The Vigil ends