Between our arrival in Madrid and the disappointment around the Papal Mass life fell into a routine - well, for a few days. Tuesday was, of course the opening ceremony and the opening Mass. Wednesday to Friday became breakfast, catechesis, cultural events, dinner and eventually sleep. Oh, yeah, did I mention that one of our group had lunch with the Pope? Now that was different.
Catechesis was organized with the usual level of efficiency that we had come to expect and accepted. Despite this, every day we hoped for better. On the Wednesday we heard Bishop Dolan of New York speak. His talk focused on the theme of WYD. He was supported by an American youth group who presented a role play. They were also responsible for the singing. It was a little bit too evangelical for me and quite a way removed from my usual Sunday worship, but pilgrimage is all about experience. I felt like a fish out of water but our group enjoyed themselves and there was much discussion about the Bishop's message. There were a multitude of religious and cultural events each afternoon and we organized ourselves into smaller groups to focus on our interests.
The second day's catechesis was a marked contrast to the previous day. To begin with there were seats for everyone! Now that was unusual. The theme for the day was focused on challenges faced by young people today and was delivered by Bishop Joel (didn't get his last name) from the Philipines. Again the flavor was slightly evangelical and the group were engaged and talk afterwards was positive. I thought it was a bit light-on and not particularly challenging, I have been involved in more in-depth formation at a senior school retreat - but, I hardly qualify as 'youth' so maybe I'm being too critical. The point, after all, is to challenge and stimulate and the young people with us had been both challenged and stimulated judging by the discussion.
Friday was the stand out day, not just because our own Claire Brown (Glenbrook Parish) went off to lunch with the Pope with 11 other young people from around the world, but because catechesis that day was conducted by our own Bishop Fisher of Parramatta Diocese. While Claire and her dad met at the designated hotel we made the journey across the city to the beautiful Carmelite church of Saints Teresa and Jose where Bish Fish, as the kids have named him, delivered his catechesis session. Now, I may be biased, but Bishop Fisher left the other Bishops in the shade. His talk was engaging and challenging, and he answered questions from the floor for over 30 minutes. And the questions weren't easy either. The Bishop's talk was on our role as evangelists for the church, an important and recurring theme of his. It is all about how we witness and live our faith. He reminded us that we would return home as changed people and asked us to reflect on how we would respond to that change.
While we were being inspired by the Bishop, Claire and her father, Steve, were wending their way to the hotel for Claire to dine with Pope Benedict. In true James Bond fashion, the hotel was a meeting point and Claire was whisked away by bus to the real meeting place. Steve was left in the hotel foyer not knowing where Claire was going or when she would return. She did return safely with the multitude of Rosary beads that we had sent with her to have blessed and also with a couple of presents from Pope Benedict. I'm not sure what the media coverage has been like at home, but the pictures of the gifts have been plastered all over the papers in Spain. For the record there was a beautiful commerative medal and a Rosary. Every time Claire is asked about her experience her face lights up. Clearly this has been a most special meeting for her and one that will live with her forever.
So, all in all it was the sort of week you'd expect during WYD festivities. Oh, and the riots.
On two separate occasions a group of people tried to disrupt the WYD events, both times they caused problems in the major tourist area of Sol. Some of our pilgrims were caught up in the protest and while it wasn't a pleasant experience, they returned unharmed and I'm sure they will use the experience to become stronger people. And the rioters? They were so out numbered by happy pilgrims they were almost insignificant.
Ben - e - dicto. And so the chants continue.
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