It's the 6th August and World Youth Day 2005 is upon us. Hundreds of thousands of people, especially young people, will gather in Cologne, Germany. It will be a tremendous experience for them all.

In 2004 the Brothers in Australia decided to assist students in schools associated with the Congregation by donating money to each school to be divided amongst any students going to Cologne.

Five of these schools have students going on this pilgrimage, a total of ten students as well as two members of staff.

We decided to have a send-off for them, and this was held at the Fairfield monastery on the afternoon of Tuesday the 2nd of August. Thirteen pilgrims came - Fr Jason Camilleri, a good friend of the Brothers, and making the journey himself, made it thirteen -,  as well as several of the Principals of these schools and their Religious Education Co-ordinators.  We even had a parent.

Br Aengus addressing the gathering	Kristina reading one of the prayers

The occasion began with a blessing prayer service during which each pilgrim was presented with a Cologne bookmark and shirt by Provincial Br Aengus Kavanagh. Both gifts were designed specifically for our 'Patrician' pilgrims with the Patrician crest and Breastplate featuring on Australian and