Michael Mason

1
(No Transcript)
2
World Youth Day 2008 Outcomes for Pilgrims

Michael Mason Australian Catholic
University Melbourne
3
Pilgrims Progress 2008 World Youth
DaySydney, Australia, July 15-20

• Rev. Dr Michael Mason
• (Australian Catholic University)
• Professor Ruth Webber
• (Australian Catholic University)
• Dr Andrew Singleton
• (Monash University)

Project Website http//dlibrary.acu.edu.au/resear
ch/wyd
4

• I. Pilgrim types and levels of commitment
• II. Their experiences at WYD08, and the diverse
  outcomes for different types of pilgrims
• III. The underlying dynamics of World Youth Day

5

• Commitment level varies by
• age
• country of residence
• slightly by gender

6
Table 1. Catholics aged 15-35 Commitment level
by Age group ( of age group)
Agegrp 15-18 19-24 25-35 All
Level
Devoted 25 42 57 40
Involved 26 27 22 25
Open 26 21 16 22
Social 23 10 5 13
7
Catholics 15-25 Level of commitment by country
of residence by age group15-18 (row)
Age Group / Country Age Group / Country Level of commitment Level of commitment
Age Group / Country Age Group / Country Hi Lo
15-18 0 Aust 38.4 61.6
15-18 1 USA 76.8 23.2
15-18 2 NZ 56.5 43.5
15-18 4 Philippines 89.5 10.5
15-18 5 UK/Ireland 42.1 57.9
15-18 11 Other 68.0 32.0
15-18 Total 51.1 48.9
8
Catholics 15-25 Level of commitment by country
of residence by age group 25-35 (row)
Age Group / Country Age Group / Country Level of commitment Level of commitment
Age Group / Country Age Group / Country Hi Lo
25-35 0 Aust 70.9 29.1
25-35 1 USA 84.3 15.7
25-35 2 NZ 80.6 19.4
25-35 3 Canada 84.0 16.0
25-35 4 Philippines 89.7 10.3
25-35 5 UK/Ireland 73.5 26.5
25-35 11 Other 84.1 15.9
25-35 Total 78.9 21.1
9
Commitment level / country

• High Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia,
  Indonesia
• (Africa, Middle East, Caribbean,
• Central and South America)
• Medium USA, Canada, New Zealand
• Low Britain, Australia, Ireland
• Very low Germany

10
Gender by level of commitment by age group (Row
)
Age group / Gender Age group / Gender Level of commitment Level of commitment Level of commitment
Age group / Gender Age group / Gender Hi Lo Total
15-18 Male 49.1 50.9 100.0
15-18 Female 51.9 48.1 100.0
15-18 Total 51.1 48.9 100.0
19-24 Male 73.6 26.4 100.0
19-24 Female 66.3 33.7 100.0
19-24 Total 68.7 31.3 100.0
25-35 Male 81.7 18.3 100.0
25-35 Female 76.8 23.2 100.0
25-35 Total 78.9 21.1 100.0
11
II. Hypotheses and preliminary findings on the
outcomes of WYD for pilgrims

• 1) WYD was a strongly positive experience,
  strengthening denominational identity through
  solidarity and collective effervescence and
  engendering communitas
• ?

12
The pilgrims enjoyed taking over the streets the
locals didnt seem to mind charmed by crowds of
joyful youth.
13

• Experiencing community, solidarity
• Experiencing the sacred
• Experiencing communitas

14
Crucifixion at dusk screens at Darling harbour
15
I did but see him passing by
16
(No Transcript)
17

• 2) The morning catecheses would be found
  unappealing
• ?

18

• 3) The large-scale worship events would be
  experienced as distant, high-culture, alien and
  uninspiring
• ?

19
(No Transcript)
20

• H4) No major changes among the Devoted
• ?

21

• H5) Little change amongst the Social
• ?

22

• H6) Significant steps forward by the Open
• ?

23
III. The underlying dynamics of World Youth Day

• Drawing on resources from philosophy
  (epistemology) and from History of Religions
• Phenomenology of intuition symbols in Husserl
  and Schutz
• The experience of the Numinous (Rudolf Otto)
• Victor Turners anthropological approach
  liminality
• Durkheim and Collins WYD as large-scale
  collective effervescence and nothing more?

24
Durkheim on religion

• A religion is a unified system of beliefs and
  practices relative to sacred things i.e. things
  set apart and forbidden, which unite into a
  single moral community or church all those that
  adhere to them
• Emile Durkheim, 1976. The Elementary Forms of the
  Religious Life. London, George Allen Unwin, p.
  62.

25

• What was really
• going on at
• World Youth Day?

26
(No Transcript)