July 29
As we reach the halfway point, blisters have now entered the language of our WYD pilgrimage! In many ways today, Friday, was a very special day. Pope Francis showed the world the power of silent presence as he visited the former Nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz. During this visit he said nothing and said everything at the same time. His pained expression as he walked through those infamous gates and under the words offering an illusionary freedom, spoke loudly of a man touched by the suffering of the world.
Francis’ silent prayer, all 13 minutes of it, echoed a wake-up call across a troubled world, for those with ears to hear it.
It was a special day for our Dublin Pilgrims too. Rising early as usual, some headed off on a 20km pilgrimage walk to the shrines of St John Paul II and St Faustina, while the remainder of the group walked a shorter distance to a catechesis led by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.
Archbishop Martin called on the pilgrims to ask two questions of themselves: “Who is Jesus?” and “Who am I?” He reassured us of both the challenge and the opportunity that lie in seeking answers to these questions. In many ways they are questions that call us into deeper relationship with God, ourselves and others.
During the catechesis a number of pilgrims came forward to ask Archbishop Martin important questions reflecting the struggles and challenges they face as young Catholics in Ireland today. Issues such as gender equality, faith formation for families, how to live the Beatitudes, how to support those struggling with mental ill-health, the identity of the Church today, role of women in the Church and how to involve other young people were posed. The archbishop listened and responded to each in turn.
Cross
This evening hearts and minds are turned towards the cross. At 6pm Pope Francis arrived in Błonia Park, following a visit in the afternoon to a children’s hospital to accompany the pilgrims on the Way of the Cross, a core element of the World Youth Day experience. The colour and pageantry of the processing pilgrims has been transformed into a palpable tone of reflection, prayer and recollection. A certain stillness has descended over countless young people gathered in prayer with their Pope.
Each station was dramatically presented with a mix of contemporary dance, graphics and drama backdropped by the sombre tones of classical laments, powerfully sung by the 200-voice choir. My description cannot but fall far short of bringing this experience to life.
Towards the end of the ceremony the Pope reflected on Matthew 25:35; ”I was hungry...I was thirsty”, and he reminded all those gathered that ”humanity today needs men and women, and especially young people like yourselves, who do not wish to live their lives ‘halfway’, young people ready to spend their lives freely in service to those of their brothers and sisters who are poorest and most vulnerable, in imitation of Christ who gave himself completely for our salvation.
“In the face of evil, suffering and sin,” he continued, “the only response possible for a disciple of Jesus is the gift of self, even of one’s own life, in imitation of Christ; it is the attitude of service. Unless those who call themselves Christians live to serve, their lives serve no good purpose. By their lives, they deny Jesus Christ.”
The Pope’s day began in silence and ended with a different type of silence; a silence that rumbled with the call to greater authenticity and engagement. The challenging simplicity of this week’s message is there for us to take up: God is Mercy, Mercy means Love; Go, be people of mercy, people of love.
August 1
Four o’clock came quickly this morning for our pilgrims heading home via Poznan. For the rest of us it’s a day of tending to sore limbs and blisters. I’ve a pedometer on my phone that must think I’m trying to trick it: 130 kilometres walked in six days!
It’s very difficult to find words to adequately describe what it’s like to experience something like the WYD vigil. It’s like nothing else on earth.
Even the images of up to 3 million people gathered for the final Mass don’t come close to bringing to life the experience. The music, pageantry, camaraderie, friendship, joy and hope can’t be felt from watching it on news reports.
Mercy in action
At the vigil, the Dublin Diocese pilgrims camped down next to a group of 900 volunteers and disabled people from the L’Arche community. Watching how the volunteers cared for those in need was witnessing mercy in action. All week the Pope has called us to embody the Mercy of God; this was authentically lived right in front of us by the members of L’Arche.
At one point during adoration with Pope Francis, Campus Misericordiae was a blaze with over 2 million candles. The silence was palpable, the experience ineffable and the simplicity was both moving and powerful.
I asked one pilgrim if she was enjoying the experience, and her first response was silence...“I just don’t know what to say”, she told me. Another said “I expected it to be like Electric Picnic or something; but this is unreal”. Songs were sung and stories shared late into the night.
A spectacular sunrise at 5.30am invited the pilgrims to a new day accompanied by what seemed like the world’s biggest alarm call! As the sun and temperature rose, the haunting sounds of a Spanish guitar echoed throughout the Campus. The day of the final Mass had arrived.
The heat was intense throughout the day and the first aid tents began to quickly fill up as dehydration and fatigue took its toll. The Pope was on message: “Go home from here, infected with courage; courage about your faith in Jesus Christ. Go home and be contagious in your faith.”
One young pilgrim reflecting on this said that “I now know I can go home and talk about my faith with confidence”. Asked about her highlights Aishwarya, from Beaumont Parish, said that the highlight for her was that, “Everyone was so kind and loving. There was so much unity”. So true.
Gerard Gallagher, Director of the Dublin Diocesan pilgrimage said that “Every pilgrim here is a gold medal winner. Their stamina, endurance and commitment is akin to competing in any major sporting event. They are all champions. The London Olympics told us to inspire a generation; these are the generation and they are truly inspirational. The key is to bring these qualities home; to their houses, parishes, colleges, friends and families. I’ve full confidence that the pilgrims will return home changed following their experiences.”
Change
World Youth Day leaves a unique stamp on the pilgrims that attend. Some, like most of the Diocesan Team, come back and back again. However, as the Pope reminded all pilgrims yesterday: World Youth Day doesn’t end now... tomorrow is the beginning of World Youth Day. World Youth Day is less of an event and more of a framework for change. It’s experiential and that experience leads to transformation.
We pray in thanksgiving for all who have supported us by their prayers and good wishes. We pray for all pilgrims as they return home and we pray that the good work begun in them may be brought to completion by the Grace of the Holy Spirit.