World Youth Day

In continuing with my theme of of Pope John Paul II's legacy I would like to share with you my experiences with the second panel of the triptych (see post on The Legacy of John Paul II); World Youth Day. Before launching into my experience though I would like to share with you my perspective on why John Paul II started World Youth Day and what its role or purpose is.

As I said in my post on the legacy of John Paul II, the goal of World Youth Day was/is to gather Catholic youth from around the world to one location so that they can build relationships and be reaffirmed in their beliefs.  The hope was that by bring the youth together the whole Church would benefit because the youth would bring new ideas and new energy back to their home parishes and communities.  

I have been blessed with the opportunity to attend two World Youth Days; Sydney, Australia in 2008 and Madrid, Spain in 2011.  What I loved most about these experiences was the energy, excitement and enthusiasm of the youth.  Walking down the streets everyone was happy and smiling and you could walk up to anyone and start a conversation with them without having to worry about being self-conscious.  I also really enjoyed getting to see and be a part of a small community in the Australian Outback where met ordinary Australians who shared their lives with our group and I was able to see places that you would never get a chance to see as a tourist.  My favourite memory  of World Youth Day was being less than 10 feet from Pope Benedict when he first arrived in Australia.  In Spain I loved all the history and culture.  I also enjoyed hearing a number of amazing speakers like Christopher West and Vicki Thorn.  

My two experiences with World Youth Day showed me the magnificence of the Catholic Church.  I met so many amazing young people from all over the world and I experienced the true universal nature of the Church.  It was a great reminder to me that I am not alone in my Catholic beliefs and it reinforced my beliefs through the emphasis on prayer, the sacraments and gathering together as a community of faith.  

It is hard for me to explain how it feels to be a part of World Youth Day.  You have to experience it for yourself.  I encourage all of you, if you have not been to World Youth Day, to go to one in the future.  I will admit that every World Youth Day has its own challenges and it is not a vacation but it will be like nothing you have experienced before.  Please consider attending the next World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland in 2016.  God Bless!