World Youth Day Review
With the hectic bustle of World Youth Day, I was unable to update my blog. When I returned to the UK from Rio, things went quickly as I attended a Conference, caught up with friends, and made preparations for my departure to Cambodia in the short week that I had. I write this blog from Singapore Changi Airport, as I wait for a connecting flight to Siem Riep to begin my next adventure. In this entry, I will try to recount the events of World Youth Day - the climax of my time in Rio de Janeiro.
For those who are perhaps unaware, World Youth Day is an event that happens every 3 years in a city chosen by the pope, that is a chance for the youth of the catholic church to celebrate their faith together with the Holy Father. In the week before world youth day the city really began to come alive, as I mentioned in my previous post. Rio felt different. Before the invasion, it was like our own little world that we began to call our home, and then all the pilgrims arrived... but it was a most welcome onslaught. The joy and vitality that these young people brought with them was irresistible. Our convent filled with a load of pilgrims from other south american countries. The city was buzzing with a vibe unique to WYD - its hard to describe. People represent their countries, parading anything they can that reflects the culture they come from; yet it is not a divisive patriotism. Everyone is united by their baptism, and it's felt. Their is no competition ... though the american's can't hold back shouting "U.S.A! U.S.A!" when one star spangled banner passes another in the street ... and the Brazilians, in their vast numbers, were keen to show the other flags who was boss in Rio, with various football-style chants that drowned out any opposing attempts at the same. Perhaps there was competition.
For the first 3 days of World Youth Day, we would spend the morning at catechesis (i.e. teaching of the Catholic faith). There were various venues in the city that hosted English-speaking catechesis, given by bishops from around the world. Though we were assigned a specific church to go to, we changed location on each of the 3 days to get a feel for the different crowds and speakers at each. On the first day, we went to a fairly small church and heard a talk from the Archbishop of San Antonio, Texas. I was really affected by what he had to say, and how he said it. I am going to look at the notes in my journal to try and summarise it ... The topic was "Thirsting for hope, thirsting for God". He spoke about the youth of today, and the great use of social media and networking. He said how, despite young people being more connected than ever before, we are still confronted with one reality, and that is 'loneliness'. We should not hide from this, or try and cover it up. It is pointing to something, or crying out for something, greater. He said many other things that struck me, but this was the most prominent. In the evening was the opening mass at Copacabana.
On the second day, we went to another catechesis where many other brits were, and it was wonderful to bump into some old friends, including one from NET! In the afternoon, we had the welcoming ceremony of the pope. He along the road of Copacabana in his pope mobile, greeting many. I got a few photos. On the third day, friday, we went to a large centre where many americans were, and heard Cardinal O'Malley, of Boston, speak. We stayed there in the evening to see the Way of the Cross televised; as a group we did not fancy braving the crowds which would probably take away from it being a prayerful experience. Plus, we had to conserve our energy, as Saturday is when things get serious.
The Saturday evening of the World Youth Day always plays host to a vigil, where the youth, after a prayer service with the pope, camp out over night and then are rejoined by him for the final mass on the Sunday morning at the same location. Though we were originally meant to be having the vigil at a place called 'Campus Fidei', - outside of, and a long walk from, the centre of Rio - rains meant that the venue flooded and the location had to be changed to Copacabana Beach - hurrah!. We spent the best part of saturday queueing for around 5 hours for food packs that are meant to last you through the vigil and sunday. The change of location meant the process was a complete mess. It was like being in a re fugee camp, or stepping into the set of an apocalyptic movie. But we got our food in the end, and walked over to Copacabana Beach. We found a spot to set up camp, but it was right at the back, way beyond the last large screen they had up to televise the stage for the crowd. Nevertheless, it's amazing how involved you can feel with an english radio translation, despite being 2 or so miles from the pope. His words, as usual, were true and gentle, like his actions. We slept in fear of being swept away by the ever-nearing waves, but we were apparently beyond their reach. In the morning I fancied a coffee, but the road was cut off to make way for the pope as he did he usual drive along the beach to greet the pilgrims. I thought I may as well hang about and take a photo or two - it was the third time I'd seen him, and each time i was never more than more that 4 people away from the barrier.
The final mass was wonderful. He preached about our duty to "Go and make disciples of all nations"; to be missionaries. I really encourage readers to go to http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/travels/2013/papa-francesco-gmg-rio-de-janeiro-2013_en.htm and dig up the WYD homilies and addresses from the Pope. He is speaking to young people from all around the world, not just to those that were blessed enough to be in Rio. The way of the cross address is really something.
With one day after the craziness ended to buy presents before i returned back to blighty, there wasn't a great deal of time to process. In summary, I feel I came away from that event in Rio with a renewed desire and enthusiasm to be a missionary, as the theme of WYD exhorts, acknowledging that little England is a missionary country.
Below are a few of the photos i took on my film camera, that i had developed whilst in England. I spent that week at a catholic conference north of Reading, and caught up with old friends. I went to pubs, walked in the countryside, sent emails, drank wine, and got ready for my next journey. In this semi-jet-lagged state, still not recovered from Rio, everything feels quite dreamlike here in Singapore. I am excited for what awaits, but I think it will be a very alien experience. I have only visited Asia for a few days in Singapore when I was younger. I am now going to teach English for a month in Battambang, a town in Cambodia. It will be very different to anything I've experienced prior. I plan to continue writing this blog, internet permitting. Watch this space for further info on why I'm here and what I'm up to!
For those who are perhaps unaware, World Youth Day is an event that happens every 3 years in a city chosen by the pope, that is a chance for the youth of the catholic church to celebrate their faith together with the Holy Father. In the week before world youth day the city really began to come alive, as I mentioned in my previous post. Rio felt different. Before the invasion, it was like our own little world that we began to call our home, and then all the pilgrims arrived... but it was a most welcome onslaught. The joy and vitality that these young people brought with them was irresistible. Our convent filled with a load of pilgrims from other south american countries. The city was buzzing with a vibe unique to WYD - its hard to describe. People represent their countries, parading anything they can that reflects the culture they come from; yet it is not a divisive patriotism. Everyone is united by their baptism, and it's felt. Their is no competition ... though the american's can't hold back shouting "U.S.A! U.S.A!" when one star spangled banner passes another in the street ... and the Brazilians, in their vast numbers, were keen to show the other flags who was boss in Rio, with various football-style chants that drowned out any opposing attempts at the same. Perhaps there was competition.
For the first 3 days of World Youth Day, we would spend the morning at catechesis (i.e. teaching of the Catholic faith). There were various venues in the city that hosted English-speaking catechesis, given by bishops from around the world. Though we were assigned a specific church to go to, we changed location on each of the 3 days to get a feel for the different crowds and speakers at each. On the first day, we went to a fairly small church and heard a talk from the Archbishop of San Antonio, Texas. I was really affected by what he had to say, and how he said it. I am going to look at the notes in my journal to try and summarise it ... The topic was "Thirsting for hope, thirsting for God". He spoke about the youth of today, and the great use of social media and networking. He said how, despite young people being more connected than ever before, we are still confronted with one reality, and that is 'loneliness'. We should not hide from this, or try and cover it up. It is pointing to something, or crying out for something, greater. He said many other things that struck me, but this was the most prominent. In the evening was the opening mass at Copacabana.
On the second day, we went to another catechesis where many other brits were, and it was wonderful to bump into some old friends, including one from NET! In the afternoon, we had the welcoming ceremony of the pope. He along the road of Copacabana in his pope mobile, greeting many. I got a few photos. On the third day, friday, we went to a large centre where many americans were, and heard Cardinal O'Malley, of Boston, speak. We stayed there in the evening to see the Way of the Cross televised; as a group we did not fancy braving the crowds which would probably take away from it being a prayerful experience. Plus, we had to conserve our energy, as Saturday is when things get serious.
The Saturday evening of the World Youth Day always plays host to a vigil, where the youth, after a prayer service with the pope, camp out over night and then are rejoined by him for the final mass on the Sunday morning at the same location. Though we were originally meant to be having the vigil at a place called 'Campus Fidei', - outside of, and a long walk from, the centre of Rio - rains meant that the venue flooded and the location had to be changed to Copacabana Beach - hurrah!. We spent the best part of saturday queueing for around 5 hours for food packs that are meant to last you through the vigil and sunday. The change of location meant the process was a complete mess. It was like being in a re fugee camp, or stepping into the set of an apocalyptic movie. But we got our food in the end, and walked over to Copacabana Beach. We found a spot to set up camp, but it was right at the back, way beyond the last large screen they had up to televise the stage for the crowd. Nevertheless, it's amazing how involved you can feel with an english radio translation, despite being 2 or so miles from the pope. His words, as usual, were true and gentle, like his actions. We slept in fear of being swept away by the ever-nearing waves, but we were apparently beyond their reach. In the morning I fancied a coffee, but the road was cut off to make way for the pope as he did he usual drive along the beach to greet the pilgrims. I thought I may as well hang about and take a photo or two - it was the third time I'd seen him, and each time i was never more than more that 4 people away from the barrier.
The final mass was wonderful. He preached about our duty to "Go and make disciples of all nations"; to be missionaries. I really encourage readers to go to http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/travels/2013/papa-francesco-gmg-rio-de-janeiro-2013_en.htm and dig up the WYD homilies and addresses from the Pope. He is speaking to young people from all around the world, not just to those that were blessed enough to be in Rio. The way of the cross address is really something.
With one day after the craziness ended to buy presents before i returned back to blighty, there wasn't a great deal of time to process. In summary, I feel I came away from that event in Rio with a renewed desire and enthusiasm to be a missionary, as the theme of WYD exhorts, acknowledging that little England is a missionary country.
Below are a few of the photos i took on my film camera, that i had developed whilst in England. I spent that week at a catholic conference north of Reading, and caught up with old friends. I went to pubs, walked in the countryside, sent emails, drank wine, and got ready for my next journey. In this semi-jet-lagged state, still not recovered from Rio, everything feels quite dreamlike here in Singapore. I am excited for what awaits, but I think it will be a very alien experience. I have only visited Asia for a few days in Singapore when I was younger. I am now going to teach English for a month in Battambang, a town in Cambodia. It will be very different to anything I've experienced prior. I plan to continue writing this blog, internet permitting. Watch this space for further info on why I'm here and what I'm up to!
Mass with Cardinal O'Malley
Papa Francisco
Rachel, Beccy & Natalie representing!
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