In these days leading up to World Youth Day in Madrid, the girls, Cathy and I have been reminiscing about WYD08 in Sydney. This morning Mia set of on a school excursion with the red and orange backpack from WYDSYD. Maddy told how at an assembly at her school they farewelled the pilgrims. She whispered to her friend next to her: I’ve been to one of those. It still amazes me that, though no one in our little family was technically a “youth”, we were able to experience a World Youth Day for ourselves.
So timely then that Sandro Magister has recalled for us the Pope’s own analysis of the 2008 Sydney event. Read this: http://www.chiesa.espressonline.it/dettaglio.jsp?id=1349004&eng=y
When WYD occurs it always brings back memories for past pilgrims.
9 years after I personally attended WYD 02 – despite the fact that the fruits of WYD have not seemed to have the same positive effect in my Diocese as in other places in Aus and with the passing of time some of the members of the group I travelled with have experienced difficulty in their lives (one or two marriage break-ups etc), I will always look foundly upon my WYD experiences as one of the most fulfilling weeks in my life.
And I cant believe we didnt have digital cameras all the way back then, and usbs and Facebook and…