WORLD YOUTH DAY 2013 (1)
What impressions are we taking away with us after the WYD last July first in Paulinia and the in Rio de Janeiro? Joy, prayer, sharing, mutual welcome, adaptation, sacrifice, weariness. Everything contributed to make these days intense and full of meaning.
We possibly spoke little of St Michael during this 150th anniversary dedicated to him but we shared his life style.
It is possible that we didn’t bring out a document, but what we have experienced and felt is worth more than a book.
It is possible that no direct mention was made about vocations, but what we went through was a real “pro-vocation”.
We felt that St Michael was not unknown to the young people; he was a friend who spoke words of truth to them and whose life style they had adopted. To be all together, coming from different latitudes, strengthened friendships in an atmosphere of genuine fraternity.
The youth and we religious have already forgotten the little organisational mishaps, the inevitable difficulties of such a type of experience, the fatigue of long walks, the cold and the rain.
What still remains is the warm smile of welcome in the families, the religious community, the parishioners of Paulinia and the experience of the Church with thousands of outer young people, plus the appeal by Pope Francis during the night prayer in Rio de Janeiro. “Dear Youth, the Lord needs you! Today he is calling each one of you to follow him in his Church and to be a missionary. Dear Friends, today the Lord is calling you! He is calling you, and you, and you. He is calling each one of you. Listen with your heart to what he is saying to you”.
What still remains can become the “secret source” which will give life to new decisions and new orientations in the life of each one.
Let us now leave the young people and the religious who accompanied them, the time to tell us about this experience next month.
Graziano Sala, scj
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