My experiences in Toronto

+JMJ+

Glory to Jesus Christ!

I thought that I'd start my contribution to the blog by writing about my previous WYD experience in Toronto, Canada in 2002. That was 5 years ago and I was at the lowest end of the age range. I don't think that I had a clear concept of the meaning of the word "pilgrimage" at the time, but when I got home the word had an entirely new meaning to me.

Toronto was a difficult experience in many ways. We got lost several times, it rained during the all-night vigil, some people from our group were lost for several hours, there was no hot water anywhere, temperatures were high and our accommodations were not very comfortable. The amazing thing was that no one seemed to mind. Everywhere there were people singing, dancing, and praising God. You could say that World Youth Day changed my life. This was the first time I saw the "young face" of the Church. There were times prior to that when I felt like the only Catholic under the age of 80 on the planet. Toronto gave me hope.

I can still remember John Paul II. He was having a hard time moving around and it was difficult to understand him at times. The love and affection the congregation had for him at the closing Mass was palpable. "John Paul II, we love you!" was the cheer that could be heard from all directions. At one point during his homily, he said, "You are young, the Pope is old..." to which all enthusiastically responded "Pope is young! Pope is young! Pope is young!" He urged us not to lose the hope that we have as young people. He said, "Do not let that hope die. Stake your lives on it! We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures. We are the sum of the Father's love and our real capacity to become the image of His Son." I still remember these words.

When John Paul the Great died, I knew the world had lost a great man. Pope Benedict XVI has addressed young people on many occasions and has reminded us how much both he and John Paul II love the young of the Church. As we prepare for Sydney may God be with us, may Mary pray for us, and may John Paul the Great intercede for us in a very special way.

Totus tuus

-Brad