August 21, 2005, Day 14
Pilgrimage log
After braving the cold night and the frost and dew of the morning, people emerged from their cocoons as early as 5:15am. After Morning Prayer at 8am, the Holy Father arrived in around 10am for Mass. The Holy Father’s homily stirred the youth to social justice, to recommit to Mass every Sunday, to reject society’s notion of ‘create your own religion,’ and to be focused on a vocation to holiness. After Mass we regathered with Fr. Jim who had concelebrated the Mass (from the front row of the priest section), packed up our items and marched out of Marienfeld. The crowds leaving were even more intense than on the way in, but everyone was on a high note after the Mass, and things were very peaceful. We arrived at our drop-off point, anxious about whether we would find our bus amidst thousands of others, and there in the exact spot where we had been dropped off, stood The David, and not too far off, The Roberto with The Trafalgar (our bus). We snoozed on our bus back to the hotel, quickly took showers, and then happily ate our great hotel food. One thing is for sure, everyone will sleep well tonight.
Diary entry from Matt K.
Well, we just finished WYD. It was amazing how many people showed up. There were over a million people packed into this field on the German countryside. Even though a few things went wrong (they ran out of food and the field had been churned into a giant pool of mud), the experience was very gratifying in the end. The spiritual energy was flowing like water through the throngs of people decaying from spiritual thirst. All 1 million of us became one body in Christ and one Church united by our pope. Our pilgrimage in Europe is coming to a close, but, for many, the pilgrimage for eternal life has just begun, or begun again, after this rejuvenation of our souls provided by JP2’s successor, Benedict. Peace.
-Matt K
AMDG
Diary entry from Tommy
Well, I don’t know exactly how to describe Marienfeld and the events that took place there. There were people and banners that filled the eye up to the horizon and onwards. We arrived at our lot and found the last, smallest, muddiest puddle in the back of the section. Somehow we crammed 11 people onto a single tarp (fortunately for myself, I found hard ground and camped there while everyone else awoke to mud-caked belongings). I had managed to borrow a small, thin sleeping bag that insured freezer burn while I slept on a sheet and, as I discovered in the morning, a candle as well. But, with the dawn came freshness and general gleefulness from our neighboring Italians.
The vigil was impressive and inspiring to say the least. The beauty and fluidity of Pope Benedict XVI’s words were breathtaking, but were nothing in comparison to the awesomeness of his message. His teaching awakened the dormant fire in my heart to stand for love, peace and the Eucharist, which should be the apex of our life.
At Mass, the Holy Father’s words seemed to permeate the cold of the morning and provide a warmth that spread from the inside out. Truly, this was an experience that will be an indelible mark on my life. We have seen many amazing sights on this pilgrimage, culminated with an Apostolic blessing by the Holy Father, and it is my sincerest hope that all of those who heard Pope Benedict’s words were challenged and moved to action by them. Thank you all for supporting us with effort and prayer, Pax Christi.
Diary entry from Carol
Writing from the bus, trying to stay awake, I’m contemplating my experience here at WYD. A few things come to mind: 1) mind-blowing crowds, 2) bratwurst, 3) and diversity. Despite the broad contrast these things all were present at last night’s vigil. As I told anyone willing to listen there are few things worth braving the immense amount of people we have encountered here in Cologne; the Pope is one of them. The crowds were part of the experience of course, as well as bratwurst, which frequently filled the stomachs of everyone from Fr. Jim to Matt K. But, the diversity factor is where words become complicated and difficult to find. Stated simply, there is something special about Camille’s delight at seeing the Lebanese flag and Nique’s awe at meeting pilgrims from Mexico. Witnessing the unification of one million young people from nearly 200 countries through one faith is certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity. An opportunity worth the walk, the mud, and whatever else this crowd faced on the way to meet Benedict XVI.
Diary entry from Nique
Hey everyone back home whose reading this . . . I know you have already read one of my journal entries but I’m writing again so deal with it! Just kidding but I would really like to share with you another experience! Today is Sunday and that means MASS and it also means a day for rest. Yet who can "rest" when you have so much to look forward to? Today is beyond a day for rest, I mean we have mass with The Greatest example of God's love, the Holy Father himself, Pope Benedict the 16th. At least I’m in NO; I repeat NO mood to rest. Which is really weird for me because, before this trip I went to mass but was never excited and I was never involved in the actual mass or if I may "Word of God!" Yet I’m lifting my hands, praying as we’re singing, understanding, and loving every moment of it. I want to live in this second forever. I have never felt this comfort, our unexplained emotions before.
As this priest handed out Jesus Body I prayed that my mind, body, heart, and soul be held and as I prayed this I felt the weight of all my problems lifted off me. Thank you so much mom, dad, Daniel, family, and friends for your support. Let Cassie know I miss her and I will be home soon. Thanks for everything! Xoxoxoxo maw!
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