World Youth Day 2005
World Youth Day 2005 was held in Cologne,
Germany, in August. Three girls, Áine Kelly, Clare Hester and Olivia Honan,
represented our parish. On their return, they addressed us at all our four
weekend Masses and described their week in Germany. They showed wonderful witness to the faith, when they gave us a taste of their experience at World
Youth Day. It was indeed something very special.
Olivia began:
‘Today, we will highlight the events, feelings and experiences from our
memorable trip to World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany.
Firstly, World Youth Day is a gathering of youth from all over the
world, to celebrate our faith, as one, over a week. As part of the Killaloe
Diocesan Group, our main events included Morning Prayer, International Ceremonies
and Celebrations and our own Liturgical Group Services. During the week, we
also had the opportunity to get to know others in our group, as well as youth
from other countries. It was truly a breadth of fresh air, with everything done
with energy, song and a smile! Now individually we will tell you of the
highlights of our trip, opening with the World Youth Day Motto, Cologne, 2005:
‘We Have Come To Worship Him.’
We began our trip on 14th August. Together, with the Limerick
and Cork Diocesan Groups, we headed off for what was going to be a 30-hour
trip. We set sail from Rosslare and said goodbye to merry old Ireland! As we
drove across England, the night fell. The next day we started making our way
through France, Holland and Belgium and down to Dussledorf in Germany. The
singsongs and chit-chat began to echo around the bus and friendships began to
form. We may have been complaining about the length of the trip, but as we
drove through Europe, something happened that we really didn’t notice – our group
became a group and memories started to form.
On the first day, which was Tuesday, we made our way into Cologne city,
letting everyone know the Irish had arrived! But when we arrived in the centre
of the city, where the Cathedral is, our chants faded into the background. We
all became a bit speechless at what was in front of us – hundreds of different
cultures, languages and chants. We looked up to the sky at the cathedral, in
awe – a magnificent Gothic structure, the Cathedral features two spires and beautiful
stained glass windows. We entered to meet hundred of pilgrims inside. The
750-year-old majestic Cathedral rises along the west banks of the river Rhine.
It’s the city’s most famous landmark and is home to the relics of the Three
Kings.
Later that day, we made our way to the new LTU Arena for the
opening ceremony of World Youth Day. This was our first International Ceremony.
The Stadium was full, with 300,000 people, with the altar in the centre of the
pitch and the celebrants gathered around. The atmosphere was both tense and
electric. There was a vibe around that stadium that cannot be described. We
were all together, celebrating the same thing. During the Mass, we listened to
300,000 sing hymns together. Cardinal Karl Lehnmann led the ceremony. He
welcomed the Holy Father and all the pilgrims to World Youth Day week. The
theme of the Mass was:
‘We saw His star and at it’s rising, we have come.’
This was one of my highlights of the week, because of the
sheer atmosphere in the stadium and the incredible sense of community.’
Clare continued: - telling
us about the middle of the week:
‘First of all, I must begin by saying that World Youth Day
was a fantastic experience. Even as the week went on, the crowds and enthusiasm
grew in Cologne. With 184 countries represented, there wasn’t a dull moment.
Midweek, we had the opportunity to do some sight seeing. We visited Koblenz,
south of Cologne and also enjoyed a cruise along the Rhine.
The mood and atmosphere throughout the week was unbelievable. I suppose
that it was heightened by the fact that almost everyone taking part, were in
their teens, twenties or thirties. We began Thursday with catechises where
individual speakers gave their views on the faith today.
However, Thursday’s highlight for most, was the arrival of Pope Benedict
along the river Rhine. As a German Pope, his visit was symbolic as he came home
to celebrate with the youth of the world. His visit also marks the future of
the Catholic Church – a new leader and a new beginning. Pope Benedict received
a warm reception along the Rhine and flags of every nationality seemed to be on
display. Cologne became the global centre of Catholicism………and we were very
lucky to be part of it.
Each morning, we had time for reflection and discussion. MEP Cathy
Sinnott, joined us on Friday, to share her views with us. She told us that ‘we
have everything we need. It is a cold world out there, but’, she believes, ‘the
heat of the Eucharist will warm it up’.
Another highpoint of midweek for us all, was our group Mass. Killaloe,
Limerick, Waterford and Cork Diocese all joined together. Away from the crowds
in Cologne, it touched everyone in some way. It was held in St. Joseph’s Church
in Dusseldorf. Bishop Murray of Limerick was the chief celebrant. Everyone present
participated in some way in this memorable celebration.
The Mass and the whole trip made me realise that each of us has
limitless abilities, but yet, each of us is different in our own way. We were
all on this pilgrimage together and we had to spend time understanding each
other. I doubt if I will ever forget this week.’
Áine went on to
tell us about the end of the week:
‘The highpoint of the week for me was definitely the final three days in
Germany. During this time, we had our final night in the hotel, our overnight
camp-out and ceremonies with the Pope.
I must say the idea of travelling by bus was the making of a superb trip
for all. We had lots of time to get to know everyone and we were with the same
people on the same bus every day. So, by the end of the week, spirits, humour
and enthusiasm were all to the fore. On the Friday night, we divided into
groups to perform acts for a talent show. This was very entertaining and really
summed up the enjoyment we had with each other during the trip. The night was
to be our last of luxury, however. Little were we aware of the following day’s
line-up. We were heading to Marianfield, outside Cologne, for the night vigil
and Sunday celebration. It initially seemed to be torture as we were warned of
the walking distance. It was to be 5 or 6 miles! As we left the bus, full of
the unknown, our worries soon left us, as our group of 85, sang songs, played
some football and enjoyed the exchange with other nationalities along the
route. The most extraordinary thing about that walk, was the crowds of people,
it became a pilgrimage – thousands of people came from every direction, banners
and flags aloft, to converge on Marianfield, the site especially constructed,
to cater for over one million people, for World Youth Day. The number of people
present had indescribable effects on all of us. The altar, where the Pope
celebrated the ceremonies, was situated on top of a mountain, which could be
seen from all over the grounds.
The vigil that night was most sentimental. Each of us had a candle and
it was a spectacular scene to look around at thousands of people. This event
had the largest congregation gathered to celebrate their faith and to take
something from the Pope’s homily. I think everybody took something from his
words. One message he did leave us with was on the Eucharist:
‘’Eucharist must be evident in our lives, in our capacity to
forgive, in our sensitivity to the needs of others.’’
These
lines from the Pope, summarise the way Jesus would like us to live our lives.
We
slept out in sleeping bags that night, even though it was pretty cold. Chants
could be heard from everywhere on the following morning, as we were preparing
for Mass. This, again, celebrated by the Pope, was very moving and touched us
all individually.
We
then headed off for the long journey back to the bus, and from here, we left
for home. The whole overnight experience was one not to be forgotten.
Overall,
this trip to Cologne, for World Youth Day, will definitely leave an everlasting
imprint in our lives. As well as broadening our faith, this trip opened our
eyes to the key element of friendship, communication, group participation and
teamwork. These gifts were developed throughout the pilgrimage and no doubt, we
will use them in the journeys and choices, we will make in our lifetime.
For
any event to be a success, preparation and hard work are required. It was
evident from the moment we arrived in Cologne, that many people had put great
effort into the event. At home, we would like to acknowledge the hard work of
Deirdre Convey and Fr. Donagh O’Meara, without whom this trip would not have
been possible. We thank you most sincerely. Finally, we were very proud to
represent our parish at World Youth Day 2005 and we thank Fr. Joe Hourigan and
Fr. Tom O’Dea for this fantastic opportunity, which will remain with us
forever.’
We
will leave you now with the World Youth
Day Prayer:
Lord Jesus
Christ, Saviour of the world,
You became Man
to give us a life in abundance.
You promised
to remain with us in your church until the end of time.
Then Your
Kingdom will come;
A new heaven
and earth full of love, justice and peace.
This is our
hope, our foundation.
Thanks be to
You.
Lord we pray:
Bless the young people around the world.
Reveal
yourself to those who are searching for you.
Awaken those
who do not believe in You.
Strengthen the
faith of those who confess You.
Let them
continuously set for You,
Like the three
wise men from the East.
Make them
architects of a new civilisation of love,
And witnesses
of hope for the whole world.
Through them,
be close to those who suffer
from hunger,
war and violence.
Inspire by
Your Holy Spirit those who are contributing
to the
preparations of World Youth Day 2005.
Make them
serve the kingdom with the power of their faith and love,
And let them
welcome their brothers and sisters from all over the world
with open
hearts.
Lord, You gave
us Mary as our Mother,
Let her be our
advocate for World Youth Day
So that it
becomes a celebration of faith.
Bless your
church with new strength these days
So that it can
become a credible witness for You.
We ask this
through You, Our Lord and God,
Living in
unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
Reigning
forever and ever.
Amen.