St. Theresa LIFE TEEN - WYD 2005

August 18, 2005, Day 11

Pilgrimage log

Today we got up early, and after a good quick breakfast, hit the road by 7:30am. Our hotel is the nicest around, but "around" means driving an hour or more to get to any WYD events. We were one of the first groups to get to the stadium and got great seats for the catechesis and Mass, which was led by the Archbishop of Halifax. Several members of our group were in the lucky row to go up to the front stage at the time of communion. We ran into Matt Henry and Thielo, another seminarian from Phoenix. The seminarians are excited because tomorrow they get to a private audience with the Holy Father. The beginning of Mass was delayed because the Holy Father landed in his plane. Everybody cheered as he landed and disembarked the plane. After the Mass, we ate our lunch quickly in the stadium and boarded the bus to go to the Welcome Celebration with the Pope on the Rhine River. Our bus driver got us close, so we walked only about two miles to get to the river. After sitting in the sun for two hours and trying to keep up bags away from the waves of the river, Pope Benedict XVI rode down the river. We were all surprised to see him waving to us out in the open air of his cruise boat, and not behind the protection of security glass. He addressed the people in 5-6 languages, which we listened to via radio. Afterwards we walked back to the bus accompanied by large, loud groups of Italians and Spaniards – it was awesome!

Diary entry from Nique

Today we went to Leverkusen, Germany, for Catechesis where we got a talk from a Bishop from Canada, who also celebrated Mass with us later. The talk was mainly about how the Eucharist brings us closer to Jesus. After the lecture, teens from all over Minnesota talked about what the speech meant to them. We enjoyed the "praise and worship" session in which we discovered that when everyone joins in on a song, it is no longer just a song but a prayer. Before Mass, we were able to experience joy in watching the Holy Father land and get off his plane. As I watched it, I experienced the feelings of holiness, comfort, and anticipation to see him in person. Next, we participated in Mass, which mainly focused on Christ and how He is present through the Word of God and the Eucharist.
After lunch (schlop), we journeyed to Cologne, Germany, where we all waited along the Rhine River in eagerness to see "His Holiness." While we waited, Tricia, Rosie, and I walked around and exchanged gifts with other pilgrims that set out to celebrate our faith. As I waited for the Holy Father, I wondered how I would feel to actually see him in person. If I would cry, if I would stand in shock, or if it would phase me at all. When I saw him, I got my answer. Although I didn’t cry on the outside, my heart, my mind, and my soul cried out to him. It cried out for help. And as I was feeling this, I felt overcome by some greater power. I didn’t know how to react... should I just stand there, should I say something, should I cry…it was overwhelming. I will never forget what today brought me.
I miss you Mom and Dad, I’ll be home soon. In the meantime, please continue to pray for us, as we will for you. Good-bye and God Bless, and may the peace and joy that found me, find you.

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Day 11 Video
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Pictures

Kellie and Brad from Halifax	Rally, catechesis, and Mass	Rally, catechesis, and Mass	Rally, catechesis, and Mass	Rally, catechesis, and Mass
Rally, catechesis, and Mass	Rally, catechesis, and Mass	Confessions on the 50 meter line	Rosie	Scottish boy and Red Sox fan
Scottish candy (one side sweet, one side sour)	Meeting up with Matt Henry	Thielo, Nique, and Leah		Procession at Mass
Our group receiving communion from the Archbishop	On the shores of the Rhine		Molly and Jane with Fr. Jim	Our DHL sponsored WYD blimp
Rachael and her new German friends		Camille and the Rhine		Listening to the Pope’s speech
Nique, Leah, and Rosie		The Pope rollin’ on the Rhine	The Pope rollin’ on the Rhine	The Pope rollin’ on the Rhine
The Pope rollin’ on the Rhine	The Pope rollin’ on the Rhine
Three Bad Hatters

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Last updated on Monday, August 22, 2005

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