Sunday July 13, 2008

While many of you reading this were fast asleep, we had the joy of welcoming Pope Benedict XVI (via television) to the Great South Land of Australia a few hours ago. How wonderful to see him briskly descend the steps of Shepherd One and greet the Prime Minister and government officials, Cardinal George Pell and the hierarchy of the Australian Church.

The excitement continues to mount here as pilgrims stream in not only our doors but the doors of many churches and other places around the city. This morning two of us had the opportunity to go to a press conference given by Bishop Anthony Fisher for the Holy Father’s arrival. During the time for questions he told us that unexpected arrivals are happening daily (like a group of 250 Filipinos who arrived yesterday) and that pilgrims from troubled areas of the world, including Iraq and Myanmar, are on their way. As it was in the United States, the topic of priest sex abuse is on the minds of many here. Other questions that came up included asking how many “youth” had been involved in the planning of World Youth Day, and the reason for choosing the Scriptural Way of the Cross in place of the traditional Way of the Cross.

Most of the rest of our day was spent in planning for the coming excitement. The first of our visiting Little Sisters arrive this evening, and the first official WYD events will take place tomorrow.

Backtracking a little, we would like to share an experience from yesterday, an afternoon at St. Ignatius High School where 1200 members of the international Ignatian spirituality group Magis08 welcomed the WYD cross & icon. 3 of our group attended, and shared in the joy of these young people. The evening included an aboriginal smokeout, and a reenactment of the crucifixion of Christ. Mary even had a chance to see some people she knows from the States, whom she had hoped to connect with during her time here.

Now the excitement is really beginning. The next week will be full, full, full, and we will try to share as much as we can. Please pray that all goes well! God bless.