World Youth Day is a combination of large and small events (many of which are still pretty big). Pilgrims come in groups from all over the world, and your group becomes your family for the next two weeks. This family unity was felt in the days of the diocese, but there we were also divided into groups of about four per host family. Once in krakow we were all together, moving about the city. We did some of our own events, for example a private Mass or visiting places such as the Divine Mercy Shrine, Wawel Castle and Cathedral, the home town of St. John Paul II, and Auschwitz. On top of these group events we also attended events open to the broader WYD community such as the welcoming of Pope Francis, his Vigil and Sunday Mass, as well as smaller events such as catechesis sessions, where there would be music, a few talks, including one from a Bishop or Cardinal, and it all culminated with Mass.
I would like to share a little more about my experiences at these sessions. Although there were catechesis events scheduled throughout the city and surrounding countryside in a multitude of languages, we regularly went to the large English-speaking location at Mercy Centre (the Tauron Sports Arena) which was sponsored by the Knights of Columbas. The Sisters for Life were also helping to organize the city vents there. It was awesome to see so many religious sisters from their community and others all in one place! In fact that was one of my favorite parts about works youth day, religious brothers and sisters or priests in clerics were everywhere!
The Mercy Centre was an incredible place. Not only was there easy access food, which is sometimes difficult to find on pilgrimage, but they also had the opportunity for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and confessions. It was such a hot spot that, when it was open to the whole WYD Community for an evening catechsis, it was bursting at the seams. Only a few members of our group were able to get in, leaving the rest of us with many other pilgrims who listened to the talks and songs on the speakers outside. It was a little surprising to see how much fun people had being locked out, and to see how much they still participated in the festivities.
The next day, last Thursday, we were able to get inside without a problem. We stayed late into the afternoon. During our time there, I saw a lot of friends from the States and even got to talk to Cardinal Tagle. He has given a talk and celebrated Mass for us, and encouraged us to be open to God’s mercy. He said that it seems odd to give a talk that basicly says “be open to be forgiven” since it would seem obvious that we would want to be forgiven. But tge truth is that we are not. Often times we put walls up and want to stay inside or we want to do it ourselves. Our pride gets in the way. Rather, he encouraged us to reach out to others to acknowledge our weakness but also how much we are loved that the shepherd would leave the other 99 sheep to save us, or the poor widow would clean the whole house and rejoice in finding us who are but a small coin.
The times of catechesis were a great place of prayer, community, and teaching. The talks were enriching and very moving.Not to mention, the breakout sessions were a great way to discuss the faith in a smaller group setting. The Masses were a beautiful experience with so many people there. Adoration and confessions were a great consolation, to take the talks and my experiences to a silent conversation with the Lord.
-Michael