World Youth Day in Rome
August 15-20, 2000
| The following article was written by parishioner and webreporter Molly Ryan. She describes her experience accompanying a group of youth to Rome for World Youth Day. We are not aware of any SJA youth attending the event. -Editor |
I had the privilege of attending World Youth Day in Rome with the parish of St. Gabriel’s in Baltimore, MD. Our group leader was my friend, Peg Hollerbach. She is a Youth Minister at St. Gabriel’s.
The diocese of Baltimore sent 186 members as their delegation representing 26 different parishes. There were meetings upon meetings that prepared everyone for their journey as pilgrims to Rome, and the emphasis was on the difference between pilgrim and tourist. While the tourist was more likely to seek out Gucci stores and such, the pilgrim enters basilicas and embraces a new culture.
The parish of St. Gabriel’s chose a cause to pray for. Their cause was Pro-life. They made a cross, decorated with images pertaining to Pro-life. On the bottom of this cross they wrote their names. Each took turns carrying the cross to the different “youth encounters.”
There were at least 2 million people in attendance for WYD. 163 countries were represented. Hostels, hotels, churches schools and many other places were used for housing the “pilgrims”. The Baltimore delegation was lucky to have stayed in hotels.
Our first stop was to the town of Assisi, the home of St Francis. It is located 2 hours north of Rome and sits on the side of a mountain. From a distance it is just breathtaking, with its walls and church domes. And once inside, it is even more beautiful.
We were privileged to have mass in the lower level of the basilica of St. Francis known as the Refractory(right).
Our songs echoed in the room. It was wonderful.
Walking in Assisi, you are either walking straight uphill or straight downhill. And the temperature was in the 90’s. There were so many beautiful churches. Unfortunately, this town was very damaged by an earthquake 3 years ago and is still restoring and rebuilding.
August 14, 2000
Arrive in Rome at about 8:00p.m. Our delegation had meetings every night to pray and sing and talk about the next day’s itinerary. It was so energy filled, one would go back to the hotel room singing and filled with the spirit.
This Jubilee year allows the pilgrims to go through 4 holy Doors that are opened only during the holy Jubilee years. The next one will be 1000 years from today. We went through:
August 15, 2000 Opening Ceremonies
Upon arriving in St. Peter’s Square, we stationed ourselves by the tall obelisk awaiting the pope’s arrival. The square was filled with youth from all over the world singing their songs in their own language, their country’s flags waving, everyone dancing…..then the Pope arrived and we all sang the World Youth Day Song, “Emanuel” all together, it took one’s breath away. One couldn’t keep back the tears.
John Paul II yelled out, “John Paul II loves you. You are the Young Church.”
We watched on the large screen televisions that were set up for all to see. Pope John Paul looked energized by what he was seeing. Into the night, he talked to the youth. St. Peter’s at night was so beautiful. As we left, everyone was still singing the WYD song.
There were many different activities for the pilgrims at many different locations in Rome. There were religious concerts, plays, and meetings with Cardinals (catechesis). The Baltimore delegation was privileged to have had a special mass with Cardinal Wm. Keeler of Baltimore. There were tours of different historical places such as the Coliseum, the Forum, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps. There were Delegations meetings and dinners. I was awed by the spirit of the youth.
August 20, 2000 The Vigil
My friend Peggy and I did not attend the Vigil held at Tor Vergata (a University at the edge of Rome). We both had leg problems and knew we could not do the 10-mile pilgrimage, plus the temperature was in the 90’s. Many were stricken by heat exhaustion. In the Baltimore delegation, 3 were taken to the hospital. So along with 15 others my friend Peggy and I watched the vigil on television in the hotel lobby. We held our own vigil with our candles lit and radios tuned in to the English translation of the pope’s message.
Pope John II was ecstatic with the young people-the Young Church. He said, ”What Strength-Que Forte. I am alive because of you.” It was so beautiful. All the youth at the Vigil lit their candles. The Pope talked about the apostle, Thomas and how we should fight any doubts concerning our faith.
The next day the Baltimore delegation returned exhausted from the heat, little sleep and they were very hungry. The Pilgrims were back! We were so excited for them and so proud. It was quite and accomplishment.
August 22, 2000
Monday night found the Baltimore delegation at a beautiful restaurant celebrating their last day in Rome. I’m sure the young people still were not aware of what they had accomplished and witnessed. We talked of how proud they must be. I went to experience Youth celebrating their faith. I witnessed this. I was in awe. They are an inspiration. There was even an instance where a young girl asked the Cardinal, “When will the church allow women to have a more active role in the Church?” I think she may have been from ST. JOAN’S! I will never forget this great opportunity.
The next World Youth Day is 2 years In Toronto, Canada.
| For more information on World Youth Day 2000 check out DisciplesNow.Com, which was set up by a couple from the Baltimore Delegation |
 |
 |