world youth day

For The Catholic Mobile Phone Users Out There… Get Your World Youth Day Ringtone!

12:04PM Jess McGuire | With Papalpaloooza rolling on, there’s never been a better time to revel in all things Vatican! I have managed to fly into Sydney just in time for the official kick off of World Youth Day(s!) and boy, this town just feels electric right now, you know? The kids are young, wholesome fun, and full of Christ… and occasionally quite spunky (water, water everywhere but not a drop to “tap”). I must say though, all the middle aged pilgrim dudes are kind of freaky looking, strolling the streets of the city with a weird glint in their eyes. They resemble the sort of folk who should be getting grilled by Benson and Stabler on Law & Order: SVU rather than responsible adults in charge of escorting impressionable youths around a strange town. Whatever. Why are there so many grown up pilgrims anyway? Pope groupies? It’s World Youth Day, dudes. As an associate quipped this morning, “They’re like Toolies!” Moving on to other World Youth Day-related matters… I received a rather delightful email from reader Shane today, and felt I had to share it with you all. Dear Defamer, In between trying to choose which menu item I should go to choose a new ring tone, would it be ‘Burps, Farts or Orgasms’ or ‘Rad Animal Sound FX’ I noticed that Vodafone had given me a third choice, World Youth Day Songs! Here’s what I can choose from, unfortunately there’s no ‘Hole In The Sky’ by Black Sabbath. Mother Mary – Foxboro Hottubs. Jesus Christ (chorus) – Brand New Jesus of Suburbia – Green Day. We Believe – Good Charlotte. I Believe – Paulini. You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban. Oh God – Jamie Cullum. Celebration – Kylie Minogue. Get The Party Started – Pink. You’re The Voice – John Farnham. Youth of the Nation – P.O.D Get Together – Madonna Chocolate Pope – Electric Six. Are You With Me – The Potbellez. I think they may have the right idea with a few of those artists, but they’ve chosen the wrong song from the back catalogue. I would have gone with: Pink – U + UR Hand Madonna – Like A Prayer Electric Six – Gay Bar Kylie Minogue – Better The Devil You Know But that’s just me. And I am an idiot. Also – am I the only one surprised that Pope Benedict XVI didn’t make amazing use of the acronym OMG in his very hip text message to Catholics? Stay Holy, and remember – don’t be a hater. This is a MAGICAL WONDERFUL EVENT FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD and anyone who disagrees should just stop dwelling crankily on sad things. More »

Pope Benedict XVI’s Visit Sparks LOLPOPE Fever In Photo Editors

9:52AM Clem Bastow | As Defamer Australia’s fearless leader noted yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Australia for World Youth Day has induced intense excitement in the Catholic/Christian community – but it seems that the photo editors of the nation just can’t get enough of that Papal goodness, either! Here are a sampling of today’s efforts. First we have this rather subtle, blink and you’ll miss it offering:Pope Benedict hearts you! And then there is this equally subtle, yet slightly confusing and disorienting number:It reminds me of the bit in Mortal Kombat where the dude’s head pops up, shouting “TOASTY!” And the Peter Cundall reference – why?? But the front page of today’s Herald Sun website saves the best ’til last:Truly, as I once read an anonymous forum sprite exclaim after seeing a particularly good animated GIF, “Guys, I am standing up and applauding right now – this is the greatest party for my eyes.” Top work, everyone! May the Papal fever never be cured! More »