World Youth Day: Cologne 2005

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Peterborough Pilgrimage

Approximately 150 pilgrims from the Peterborough Diocese traveled to Europe for World Youth Day 2005. And after some of our pilgrims saw the Pope, I doubt that there was a person left in Europe who had not hear them singing joyfully “We saw the Pope – He renewed our hope” to the tune of “Hi Ho Hi Ho” taken from Disney's Snow White.

Our first encounter with the Pope was in the middle of our pilgrimage, during his welcoming voyage down the Rhein River. To our surprise his boat docked right in front of us. Out of the millions of people he docked between some trees before some 40 plus people. He then got off the boat and walked up the side of the hill to the Cathedral in Cologne. Joy and emotions were hard to contain and hard to explain. But yet these are moments no one will ever be able to take away from our young pilgrims.

Krista Wood explains, “I will never forget the close encounter we had with the Pope.  I was close enough I could have shaken his hand, but of course didn't cause the security was crazy, but he waved at me and I broke down. Before World Youth Day, when I'd watch other people meeting the Pope and then see them totally fall apart crying and saying their lives were changed forever I could never figure out why.” She continues, “The day I met the Pope did change my life, and in more ways than I'll ever know. I formed a close knit bond with 14 other Peterborough parishioners who experienced this day with me and I now have this wonderful sense of God's presence in my life whenever I'm around them.”

“The Pope slowly turned his head to face me, he gave me a smile, and then he waved. Time stopped, all sounds of screaming pilgrims went silent, the blood in my temples began to throb, I could hear my own heartbeat, and then it was over,” describes Matthew Jang.

Matthew Stewart of Grafton said, “The whole experience was indescribable, and simply put, AMAZING!”

Our pilgrimage was more than just seeing Pope Benedict XVI. It included participating in the Days in the Diocese in Cuijk Holland, then traveling through Germany as well as the all night Vigil and morning Mass in Marienfeld with Pope Benedict in Cologne, and then finishing our last few days taking in the rich history and beauty of Paris France.

Some had never been to the airport before much less on an international flight. For others the challenges lay in new foods, jet lag, trading in the world at home to enjoy the opportunities presented and for everyone the crowds that overwhelmed Germany. But all traveled for the same reasons – to participate in the largest Catholic youth event in the world and to have the opportunity to share it with our Holy Father, Pope Benedict or “Benny” or “Benissimo” as the crowds cheered. But every pilgrim had a different time and place that stuck out for them as their favourite.

“One of my favourite parts of World Youth Day was all the masses we attended.  We attended daily masses and even though we attended in three different countries, every time I stepped into a church, or chapel for mass I felt at home.   It was awesome to hear everyone praising the Lord in his or her native tongue. It was very overwhelming,” said Katie Wood of Peterborough.

Our pilgrimage formally began in Cuijk Holland where we were billeted out to families. As well as Mass every day, the program was jammed packed; coffee with the mayor, touring local churches, entertainment, sports, museums, touring a Turkish Mosque, picnics, discos, Stations of the Cross and everything that could possibly be shown to us in the surrounding towns, was shown with a hospitality rarely shown in our everyday lives.

“World Youth Day was truly a memorable experience, that included much more than just the events in and around Cologne,” states Paul Jones. “ We met young Catholics from all over the world who came together to celebrate together with the Holy Father. I still remember the warm welcome we received from (Pastor) Theo and the young people in Cuijk. They made us feel like part of their parish and community and showed us a wonderful time. The host families were amazing to inviting us into their homes, providing a warm bed after long days and a large breakfast each morning. We learned about their culture and they learned about Canadian customs.”

On our last day in Cuijk we all wished we had more time with our families and new friends. We politely said we would see them at World Youth Day, all knowing that it would be virtually impossible for our two groups to connect with over a million people expected. But to our surprise, a week later, as we were setting up our sleeping area for the Vigil on the grass of Marienfeld in Cologne Germany, familiar voices were shouting our names and soon we were hosting the Cuijk youth on our ground sheets and sleeping bags, catching up on the experiences and challenges we all faced getting to Marienfeld in the crowds of Cologne.

Germany was richly filled with catechesis and youth festivals and simply the local sights. But as we approach the day of the vigil, things started to change. Germany will never look like this again. Getting in and out of Marienfeld was described by some to be like a clip from the film Lord of the Rings. Never have I seen so many streams of people traveling several km on foot in one direction across fields of straw and mud. In Marienfeld, we slept altogether under the dark sky; nation-to-nation in what must have looked like the largest bed in the world. Unexpected cold temperatures had WYD security and volunteers handing out emergency blankets. But in the morning mist, with Pope Benedict's opening remarks at mass, “I welcome each one of you whole-heartedly”; the journey was well worth it.

The Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Joachim Meisner, had earlier on indicated in his welcome address: “ With one million pilgrims, 800 bishops and 10,000 priests in our midst, we can touch, hear and cannot fail to see Christ“. Pope Benedict XVI addressing a personal word of welcome to the pilgrims opened the WYD concluding Mass, “I would very much like to have criss-crossed the entire grounds in the Papamobile, to be close to each and every one of you” he added. “But that wasn't possible, because of the way the paths are arranged; nevertheless, the Lord sees and welcomes each single person.”

In his homily at the closing Mass of World Youth Day, the Pope clearly stated: "Anyone who has discovered Christ must lead others to him. A great joy cannot be kept to oneself. It has to be passed on." Pope Benedict went on to say “Religion constructed on a 'do-it-yourself' basis cannot ultimately help us. It may be comfortable, but at times of crisis we are left to ourselves." The Holy Father's final appeal to young people gathered in Cologne was to "help people discover the true star that points out the way to us: Jesus Christ!" Strong words. Not easily forgotten.

After he parted the reality of the world we had blocked out was back. The trip on foot out of Marienfeld was no picnic. One pilgrim from our Lakeshore writes, “Probably the best adjective to use is “challenging”. It was a time for penance. The combination of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and an overwhelmed transit system made for some memorable moments, including an eight hour journey, walking most of the way, out of Marienfeld after the weekend mass. However, in retrospect, our toughest moments were also the best - the ones we look back on with a sense of fulfillment.”

Branden Fonovic from Port Hope said, “Even though the trains were crowded there was usually several youth that would play their musical instruments, violin, guitar, bongos etc. and all would sing.”  And that energy was everywhere. Fellow pilgrim Julie-Anne McHardy reflects that in the midst of the crushing crowds “ stood out this energy and vitality present everywhere. In every town, train station, side street and corner store youth were singing in all kinds of languages God's praise. Experiencing WYD with over a million youth, sleeping in a cold damp field to hear the Pope speak, and touring parts of Europe with newly found friends and family, has, without a doubt, left me craving more! I can't wait until Sydney 2008!”

Stephanie Dayman from Port Hope says “The trip was a great experience, three countries in three weeks, meeting so many youth from so many countries.  It was a trip of a lifetime and I am grateful to all who helped make it possible.” 

And on behalf of all the World Youth Day pilgrims, our sincerest thanks to everyone who made this trip possible with your kindness, prayers and support. A special thank you to our families, friends, fellow parishioners. This may truly be the best investment any of us could have made in the future of our Church and Catholic Communities. You renewed our hope. Again, all I can say is thank you!