I recently came back from covering the diocese’s contingent to the World Youth Day (WYD) in Krakow. It was a blessing and a humbling experience to accompany the 600 teens and young adults from Brooklyn and Queens and try to chronicle how this WYD pilgrimage affected their lives.
The pilgrims developed friendships with other young Catholics across cultural and language barriers. They also made the effort to get out of their comfort zone, and in communion with other diocesan youth, reflected about the message and graces God had in store for them. For many, this was their first time out of the country and they made their chaperones, their bishop and their diocese proud.
Energy to Overcome Challenges
Despite the exhaustion of the week, long walks in the heat and sometimes rains, and the challenges that came with the pilgrimage, the pilgrims’ faith and energy was constantly renewed.
“You can see a change in them in the midst of all of the frustrations and difficulties and the massive crowds, there is a change in spirit and is certainly a joyful spirit,” said Father Gerard Sauer, diocesan pilgrimage director.
One of many highlights was to see the young people filled with joy as they welcomed Pope Francis at Blonia Park on July 28.
Seeing thousands of young people of different cultures – clad in ponchos but not caring about the rain – united as one as they listened to Pope Francis was inspiring. In addition to the message at the vigil at Mercy Field, the pope’s words at the opening ceremony deeply resonated with them.
They were touched by his sadness for those people who “opted for early retirement” and gave up on their dreams. He also shared his concern for those “who waste their lives looking for thrills or a feeling of being alive by taking dark paths.” The youth understood that the pope did not want them to be robbed of their energy, joy and dreams.
Empty Thrills or Grace?
He asked the young people to choose between empty thrills or the power of grace. They enthusiastically proclaimed their desire to find fulfillment in Jesus Christ. “Jesus can give you true passion for life. Jesus can inspire us not to settle for less, but to give the very best of ourselves,” the pope said.
The young pilgrims were constantly challenged and encouraged to leave a mark, including during the catechesis given by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. Daily Mass and other opportunities for worship also nourished the young people.
Another impressive moment was how young people gathered at Campus Misericordiae to pray with Pope Francis for the overnight vigil and Mass. When the pope asked for a moment of prayer and you could hear a pin drop even though there were nearly two million people present.
At the vigil, Pope Francis spoke about the temptation of confusing happiness with “a sofa that makes us feel comfortable, calm, safe.” The young people saw this as encouragement to go out and change the world.
The pilgrimage did not refrain from acknowledging horrors like the atrocities committed at the Auschwitz concentration camp and the realities of the world today. These moments called for prayer and challenged us to be agents of change who are not indifferent to others’ needs.
Be Apostles of Mercy
Throughout the whole week the message of “mercy” permeated every aspect of the pilgrimage. There were the constant calls to be apostles of mercy, to share our bread with the hungry and welcome refugees and migrants. Little moments of mercy also abounded – like people giving out free water to thirsty pilgrims.
“To say the word ‘mercy’ along with you is to speak of opportunity, future, commitment, trust, openness, hospitality, compassion and dreams,” Pope Francis said during WYD.
Another highlight of the pilgrimage actually came after WYD was over, when visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa to celebrate a Mass with Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski in the chapel of the Black Madonna. There, you could see the joy in many of the pilgrims’ faces and their understanding of why God gave them the gift to come to Poland.
To witness the spiritual transformation these young people went through that week was amazing, but we learned there that the experience of the WYD vigil and Mass is only the beginning. The fruits may show themselves later. (I’m still processing some of the messages and the actions God wants me to take in my life as a daughter, as a sister, as a wife and as a Catholic.)
I’m looking forward to seeing how WYD continues to transform these pilgrims.