RITE AND REASON:500 Irish pilgrims were among the 1.5 million faithful in Sydney for a rich spiritual experience, writes Aoife Connors.
FOR A young person with an interest in their faith World Youth Day in Sydney was a powerful and moving series of events.
More than 200 pilgrims from the Dublin diocese were there with Catholic Youth Care (CYC), the Dublin diocesan agency for youth. Fr Jim Caffrey, its director, travelled to Australia with 300 other young pilgrims from Mayo, Donegal, Waterford and Dublin.
They accompanied the Archbishop of Dublin, Most Rev Diarmuid Martin, the Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, Most Rev Raymond Field, and Fr Kevin Doran, parish priest of Glendalough.
From the moment we left Dublin there was such enthusiasm on the part of each pilgrim to speak about faith and to challenge it, thereby strengthening belief through deeper understanding. World Youth Day has been about exploring faith with other young pilgrims and about challenging oneself by examining conscience, looking beyond the surface and celebrating all that you believe in.
From July 8th thousands of young people began gathering in Melbourne to begin World Youth Day with Days in the Diocese (DID08). CYC pilgrims were hosted by St Scholastica's parish in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
DID08 was a time to spend in a parish close to Sydney in order to prepare spiritually for World Youth Day. Time was spent in morning and evening prayer, Eucharistic adoration and lectures by church leaders.
Leaving Melbourne for Sydney on July 14th, CYC headed for our host parish, St Patrick's in Bondi. Here each pilgrim registered and received their pilgrim packs which included plenty of information on transport, psalms, liturgy and youth festivals.
World Youth Day took place in Sydney from July 15th to 20th with more than 1.5 million young people from all over the world. In Bondi CYC were host to English-speaking pilgrims from South America, Perth, Ferns, Tuam and Meath.
On Tuesday morning pilgrims attended morning prayer before beginning our journey towards Baranagaroo for the opening Mass. It was celebrated by Cardinal Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, and the bishops of the world.
Gathered together from all nations, different languages, different races, the thousands of pilgrims had one thing that bonded everyone together - faith in Jesus Christ. After Mass we were treated to a live concert by Guy Sebastian, composer of the event's theme song Receive the Power. We received catechesis from 9.30 each morning until noon.
On Wednesday Bishop Caggiano from Brooklyn spoke with such humour that on numerous occasions the church erupted with laughter. Archbishop Hickey from Perth spoke to us on Thursday morning in a different way about the Holy Spirit and Jesus in our lives.
Friday morning was the one catechesis session that all pilgrims spoke about.
Archbishop Martin spoke so passionately about realising God's presence in our lives and understanding how faith can change the way you live your everyday life.
Some great events took place in the afternoons with the papal arrival on Wednesday. Pope Benedict XVI arrived into Sydney harbour greeted by thousands of pilgrims chanting his name. It was a very moving experience to be so close to the Holy Father.
The Stations of the Cross took place on Friday afternoon, moving from different locations in the city including St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney Opera House and Darling Harbour. It involved a complete re-enactment of the events leading to our Lord's crucifixion.
The Irish pilgrims completed their pilgrimage to Randwick Racecourse on Saturday last and celebrated an overnight vigil under the stars by candlelight.
We awoke on Sunday morning to dawn Mass with Pope Benedict before beginning the journey back to Ireland.
It has been a joyful experience and will remain in the memory of every pilgrim for the rest of our lives.
• Aoife Connors is a final year journalism student in DCU. Last week was her first time attending World Youth Day. She travelled with Catholic Youth Care from her parish at DCU.
