World Youth Day'05

By Wein P. Gadian

Flags at YAI Festival

His Holiness during his mass at the Dome Cathedral

On the way to mass for Dusseldorf pilgrim

Delegates having fun at Dusseldorf along Rhine river

Dome Cathedral

Mass at Bayer Footbal field

At Essen Cathedral where the Golden Madonna and the relics of St. Damian are found

The late Pope John Paul II, in concluding the year of the Church celebration of the Jubilee Year of the Redemption in 1983-84, invited the young peoples of the whole world to Rome on Palm Sunday. And with the enthusiastic response of the youth the Holy Father announced in December 1985 that it will be continued on a yearly basis. The first World Youth Day (WYD) was celebrated in 1986. Since then, the Pope would invite the entire world's youth to a certain city for the WYD. This year, the 20 th WYD was held in Cologne, Germany. The invitation for WYD is open to young Catholic adults up to 30 years old, but whoever responds to the Pope's invitation is always welcome, especially at the closing Mass.

The WYD is a gathering of young people from all over the world. Although it does not replace the ordinary day-to-day pastoral youth work of the church. It is a visible celebration of all those hidden works for the youth. The event puts the person of Jesus Christ the center of faith and life. It is also a moment to reflect on each one's individual life of prayer. Each celebration has three essential parts: A) the proclamation of the God's Word in daily catechesis; B) the celebration of the Church universality, in meeting people from all over the world; and C) a special missionary outreach to other young people that continues even after WYD ends. It is a blessing to take part in this festivity. A lot of people look forward for the festivity and often raised funds to attend. Antonio “Warren” Wutrich, is one lucky youth to attend WYD'05. Warren, an Ilonggo, is a member of a Christian Organization, ‘Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon'. His service to the community sustained him in everything. “Prayer was my only solace then. I was denied in my application but God was so kind to send me there.”

A Pilgrimage

WYD is a journey of spiritual enlightenment, healing and a festival. Those who have attended confessed of being clarified of the Church's teachings. Others say that they have found the answers to their questions. WYD is an encounter with Christ. And like the three Magi, in their journey following the star they believe directs them where the Messiah was born. These delegates set out on the trip leaving the usual comfort of their homes. “It maybe surprising that we (delegates) didn't have mattresses to sleep on. Or a room where we could rest, but the essence of WYD is not with the comfort we're used to in our homes. Rather it's in conquering the world through Christ.”

WYD is a festivity with live music and cultural presentations on the streets and squares of the host city. It also breaks any boundaries of language, race, or culture. It is a sign of our conviction that God calls all of us to live in peace and harmony. And through these, each participant deepen (or rediscover) their faith. “Once where lost going to the site. We we're panicky for a moment…but everything subsided when a group of Ukrainian gathered beside us. With guitar, they were singing ‘Shout to the Lord'. And that comforted us.”

They also realize that the Church is a worldwide community. And that they appreciate the gift of their baptism and receive the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation with renewed fervor. As a world festival, it is also a venue to understand the culture of other countries. “Everyone was crying when we sang the Lord's Prayer in our own language. It was a wonderful experience, that we were speaking the same language…Christ's language.”

A WYD experience will never be the same. Others would only think of the host country's beautiful sites but for Warren his story is in a song. “I've learn to love God since I was young. Being brought up in a Catholic family and a member of Lingkod…but I'm still overwhelmed with WYD'05. And a reminder to me is when I hear the lyrics:

‘Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us.

Power and majesty praise to the king!

Mountains bow down and the seas would roar

At the sound of your name

I sing for joy at the work of your hands

Forever I love you.

Forever I'll stand

Nothing compares to the promise I have in you.'

“I encourage all youth to attend at least one WYD. WYD'05 may not be the best but it's worth every penny. God confirmed that in Him NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE,” Warren says with dignity.

World Youth Day closing mass	Delegates from Lithuania and Bonn along the Rhine river	Warren at the Dome in Marrienfield, awaiting for the Pope to arrive during his vigil mass.