Wanted: a spiritual experience

World Youth Day was a great chance to celebrate faith, but also to make new friends, seek adventure, and have fun - according to a survey of more than 12,000 people who registered to attend. Conducted by the Australian Catholic University and Monash University, “Pilgrims Progress 2008” studied the responses of 12,275 registered English-speaking pilgrims from 164 countries who took part in an online survey and interviews before WYD. The survey found that 85% were going to their first World Youth Day. “It also revealed what pilgrims most wanted at WYD08 was a spiritual experience and in that context, to see and listen to the Holy Father,” researcher Dr Michael Mason said. Read Article