Wednesday, July 16, 2008 (PS)

Last night we neglected to explain about the bottom two pictures on this page. The Australian communities of l'Arche hosted an evening at a suburban town hall to share their life. It was a beautiful evening, made up mainly of songs and images of life in l'Arche communities, accompanied by dance and movements from the members themselves. A testimony from a woman who has worked with l'Arche for 34 years explained their mission and motivation. We felt right at home in this setting where the goal is to bring out the beauty of each one and to help them to see the value they have, not for what they can do, but for who they are. It was a wonderful experience.

Wednesday July 16, 2008

Today is a good day for stories. There were no “major” events, but the catechesis sessions began at 250 different sites in and around Sydney, and many, many youth festival events took place. Backtracking a bit to yesterday, though. Last night one of our groups went to St. Mary’s Cathedral for adoration, then caught the bus home. Who did they find on the bus, but the pilgrims from the diocese of Pontoise, France, who have been staying here at our home. The young people gave them a grand welcome onto the bus! Our Sisters were very impressed by the group, who settled down and softly prayed Evening Prayer together during the ride home.

At the Vocations Expo sites we are meeting people from all over the world. Many just express curiosity, but many others tell us openly that they are discerning God’s will for their life.

Our catechesis session takes place at our parish church, about a 10 minute walk away. Today’s talk was given by Bishop Patrick Zurich from Amarillo, Texas. In a very easy to understand manner he spoke to us about being “Called to live in the Holy Spirit.” Drawing on the Scriptures, the teachings of the Church Fathers and the example of Our Lady, he reminded the young people that they have received the Holy Spirit just as Pope John Paul II and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, and because of that they have the potential to become like these people who are so admired for their holiness.

At each catechesis site, after the bishop’s talk there is time for questions and answers, then time for silent prayer and the celebration of the Mass. Lunch is served after Mass & today it was a Big Aussie BBQ (grilled sausages with onions & ketchup).

The rest of the afternoon was spent visiting the different events of the Youth Festival. We went in many different directions, so I will try to recap what I can here. The Taize prayer site is drawing large groups of people for private prayer, and for the group prayers that are held every 2 hours. It is beautiful, but you feel the absence of the Blessed Sacrament, since it is held in an Anglican church.

Another group went to see Cardinal Rodriguez from Honduras speak on social justice at the Customs House, referring to the Holy Father’s encyclical on hope. He encouraged the young people to let themselves be guided by a “Spiritual GPS” in their lives, the star of hope that Pope Benedict referred to. Promised a surprise at the end of the talk, our pilgrims weren’t disappointed, as the cardinal pulled out his saxophone and played a few tunes for them.

A visit to the Media Center offered an opportunity to meet media from around the world, and to attend a press conference with Jesuit Father Frederico Lombardi, the Holy Father’s Press Secretary.

The Italian pilgrims here held their gathering this evening & some of our group participated in that, too. This gathering was fed direct to Italy, emphasizing the link between European and Australian Italians. Many bishops participated, as did Gen Rosso, a Focolare band. It was very well attended and a great opportunity to connect with the Italian church.

For supper this evening, everyone made for the best. Some came home, some ate at the WYD food sites and some missed the food service, so got something on their own. A few stories from this. One group shared their meal with a teacher and three high school students from the Brisbane, Australia area. It was a very nice exchange about life in each one’s country, and about Catholic education. Another group stopped for supper at a local eatery and were approached by a mother and two young girls who wanted their picture taken with our Little Sisters, since they had never seen a nun before. A little while later a mother and daughter approached them and asked if they were Catholic nuns. After replying in the affirmative, the visitors told them they had just had a miracle. This morning they had met some nuns who had promised to pray for the daughter, since she had been diagnosed with a widespread cancer, and wasn’t given much hope to live. When they went to the doctor today, however, he informed them that the cancer appears to be contained, and that she will need a major surgery, but should live. They said that the nuns they spoke with had said something about Our Lady. Our Little Sisters informed them that it is the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Providentially, someone had given them a brown scapular earlier in the day, and they gave it to the daughter. This was the first time the young woman had ever prayed, and our Little Sisters encouraged her to let this be a new beginning in her life.

Tomorrow Pope Benedict arrives in Sydney! A massive crowd will greet him at Barangaroo harbor in mid-afternoon. What a joy for the Church here and throughout the world! God bless.