Melbourne

Internacional Oblate Youth Encounter

8th – 13th July 2008

It was all systems go at Melbourne airport as members of our group arrived from 4 separate places. Fortunately the Aussie Oblates were there to meet us with a cheerful smile and the well-organized enthusiasm and drive that would carry us through the next few days.

We were warmly welcomed by St John Vianney´s parish and were treated to the lavish and joyful hospitality of George and Sandra Johnson on the first night… they happily prepared a barbecue for 21 people as though it were nothing at all.

Frs. K. Davine omi, J. Maher omi, St.John Vianney's Parish, Melbourne

The Chinese were thrilled at being in a foreigner’s house and had a great time looking round the garden and playing at being barbie chefs. We spent the first night sleeping at the parish as our host families weren’t quite ready for us, but everyone was so tired that we were quite happy to crash out on the floor.

Sandra and George Johnson, host familyr

It all really began the next day when we were assigned our host families and attended the official opening ceremony at Mazenod College. One of the most beautiful things about our time in Melbourne was the time spent with our host families, who truly did welcome us into their families and cared for our every need.

One volunteer wrote, ‘They are so considerate. They prepared food for us when we came home late. They asked us if we were cold during the night and if we sleep well in the morning.’ It made our time there even more beautiful.

The opening ceremony set the tone for the rest of the event – a huge ceremony including joyous singing, a procession of flags, prayer and, finally, the placing of the Mazenod cross in the centre of the hall – a clear sign that Christ was to be at the heart of this encounter.

Fr. Christian Fini omi with our group and youth from Kenyar

The groups all responded with great excitement and enthusiasm, cheering on their flags when it was their turn. We all felt very proud to see the Chinese flag in procession and to hear a prayer recited in Chinese. It was as though the whole world was present in one room.

Fr. General Wilhelm Steckling omi

The rest of the encounter was filled with many beautiful memories – the Stations of the Cross, reconciliation, the final profession of Br Chun, the festival of culture.

It was as though we saw everything that God has to offer us – the joy and variety of His creation, the solemnity of a young man making the ultimate commitment and also for us the chance of a renewed commitment to full relationship with Jesus.

Fr. Provincial Harry Dyer omi

What touched our hearts especially was the presence throughout of the team of young people who were responsible for the event. 

They were obviously so excited to be there and for us to be there, they worked so hard but always with joyful smiles and were obviously so committed to the vision of the Oblate charism. 

It was this vision that only one of our group had carried into the youth encounter but all of us carried it away with us in our hearts – to leave nothing undared for Christ and to fully recognize our dignity as sons and daughters of God.

We left for Sydney on the Sunday morning （13.07.08) with our host families and the parishioners waving us goodbye. Although we were excited at the adventure that lay ahead we were sad to be leaving a place that had come to feel so much like home. As one group member said to me, ‘There are so many people here, and every one is a friend.

Sydney

23rd Word Youth Day – Receive the Power

15th -20th July 2008

It is hard to put an experience like ours in Sydney into words, easy to treasure it and ponder it in the heart but difficult to describe it.

Even from our first day we could see that we were in a city of extraordinary beauty – huge trees lining the streets, wide parklands, and of course the stunning Sydney Harbour with the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and the glittering blue sea.

We took a boat across the harbour and landed at Manly Wharf where we played on the beach, marveling at the white sand and the clean bright water.

But all of this was only the backdrop to the pilgrimage that each person made in his or her heart and, as the week progressed it was beautiful to see so many young people opening their hearts to Christ.

World Youth day officially began the next day when George Cardinal Pell, Archbishop of Sydney presided over the opening mass. It was a huge occasion with over 100,000 people gathered at Banargaroo.

As each group was welcomed in their own language there were loud cheers and lots of celebratory flag waving, but at the appropriate moments the congregation would drop to silence and prayer.

It was a shock after Melbourne (only 1400 people at the IOYE) to be with so many but despite this the experience was not an over whelming one.

There was an attitude of light heartedness and cooperation in all present and everyone seemed so happy to see us, shouting ‘China, China!’ every time we walked by with our flag that it was as though we were among friends. It was a time to really live the fact that we are one body in Christ.

The official Papal Arrival was on Thursday and we gathered to see the Holy Father, along with what felt like the rest of the world.

There were so many people that we weren’t allowed through to our gate and were pushed into a very crowded area and in the end could actually see very little of him. But we could see his face on the screen, looking calm and serene despite the huge congregation in front of him.

He spoke to us of the Holy Spirit and reminded us that there is nothing that Christ will take away, rather He will give you everything.

These were the highlights of the first days, but our ordinary routine was to attend catechism lessons in the morning (in English or Chinese) and then choose from a variety of events and concerts in the afternoon.

Some of the group initially found it daunting to make these decisions for themselves and to navigate the city alone, but they were soon experts and some even felt confident enough to go out and about alone.

There was a wealth of catholic teaching available to us that week, adoration chapels all over the city and a great vocations exhibition in the main exhibition center of the city.

All the time we were surrounded by other pilgrims joyfully pounding the streets, chanting the pope’s name and singing praise songs.

It all culminated in the Prayer Vigil at Randwick Racecourse in preparation for the Papal Mass the next day. On Saturday evening the Pope led the Vigil which included a time of silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and we saw almost half a million young people fall simultaneously to their knees, as though after all the noise and chanting has stopped what remains is an experience of Christ deep in the heart.

At the end of the service the Holy Father gave several messages in other languages and finished with a quick hello in Chinese. We were thrilled.

Afterwards we settled down to sleep (or shiver) under the stars and woke up early (or not) the next day for mass. At the end of the mass the Pope told us, ‘It is now time for us to say goodbye.’ And we all gave a genuine sigh of sadness.

We left though with his blessing in our hearts and with great joy at all we had been able to experience throughout the week – a knowledge of the living reality of the universal church, the power of the Holy Spirit and the great joy of our own Christian fellowship.

We will never be the same again.

Statements from the Group Members

(English hasn’t be corrected intentionally)

What did World Youth do for me?

Through these two weeks, I got to see how the church was working like a family. We are one body in Christ, and each of us plays a unique part in this body and it needs each one of us to make it good and perfect. It´s such a blessing that people here get so many chances to pursue the kingdom of God, though some are not using these chances.

Will pray for them. Also got to see into Church situations in China and what we really need. In him, everything will be alright. We shall reconcile to Him all the time in our life. To be the living gospel and a witness to the world. Do not be afraid, He is with us.

Julia

Receive the power from the Holy Spirit. I really love this worship song but I couldn’t completely understand and feel the deep meaning till this world Youth day. We are from every corner of the world, speaking different languages, but we have the same goal – to praise and worship our Lord together.

I have been so amazed by being with so many young catholics especially those young catholics who always have the most powerful passion, and now our passion is for Christ. If it´s not God, Holy Spirit, who else can draw us so close to embrace the beautiful mission in our life. By praying together I know that we are many but one body. By experiencing the Stations of the cross I know more deeply about the meaning of his blood for us and the gift of my life.

By meeting Holy Father and the words he gave to us I felt the beautiful union of being catholic. Everyday we would do a lot of walk and when we got back home it was almost midnight. But God knows what we need. I always had the energy to move on in this pilgrim journey. I feel more proud of being a Chinese catholic, there is a lot of difficulties but I know His grace is enough for us to face all that might happen in the future. And only with His grace we can truly finish our pilgrim journey on earth.

Rita

During the past year I experienced a lot and I felt tired. My faith dried up. My life was full of anxiety and worry and uncertainty. WYD at the beginning was like an escape for me. When I got to Melbourne I saw the cows and sheeps chewing grass in wide lawns, birds flying freely in the sky. I was deeply touched . Indeed they don´t sow or plow but God provide them enough food and anything they need then why should I worry about what to eat, what to wear, am I not more valuable than a bird?

At St John Vianney Parish (Melbourne) one theme is ´be witness to the world´ the volunteers and host families have set up perfect examples for me. They are great . Thousands of young people sang and danced to worship God. So joyful that´s great. In Sydney, near the Darling Harbour or somewhere there is an awesome exhibition. I don´t know there are so many orders, so many people committed to their mission, devoted to their faith and love or serve people.

In Liverpool (suburb of Sydney), or at St Theresa’s Parisha group of young people performed a play, a guy works hard by himself but gains little, another guy let Holy Spirit guide his way, enjoys his life very much. I was just like the first guy, worked hard but worked by myself. I made my own plan, carried out my own will so it was hard. In Randwick, oh it was incredible, so many people from all over the world are united together we celebrated it together. At St Mary’s church a sentence inspired me a lot. It says like this, ‘Live yourself fully, otherwise you just exist not live.’ I doubt I just existed not lived.

These days I am thinking over my mission, my life. With phone off, without any distractions, it is a perfect time to meditate. Surely thanks to the volunteers and host families, they provide me food an shelter, make my deep meditation and reflections possible. I enjoyed the pilgrim very much. When I got back to China some troubles or problems do exist but I know I can face them. At last I want to encourage myself. Do not worry. Do not fear. Trust Him. Love myself as who I am and love others as who they are. God has a great plan for me.

Although I don’t know what it is now I do know that I want his will replace my will. His plan replace my plan. Totally surrender to Him and find peace in Him. So this journey is not an escape but a revival, renewal of my faith, my spirit. Thank you Lord. Thank you WYD. Thank you, who made this journey possible for me . thank you God. You see I think a lot. For many activities I just looked on, not fully participated in it, it was a pity.

Another thing I feel uncomfortable is that a guy, I forgot his country, gave me a card of Mother Mary but it was made in Japan (I don’t like Japan) and gave the card to a sister. I am clumsey and make many mistakes though I can’t remember them now. Pray that nobody was hurt by me. Thank you Father Pray that Father let me go in peace.

Jill.

Thank you so much. It is you who sponsored our WYD pilgrimage . Praise to Our Lord. He let me touch Him face to face during these two weeks. All of young people in a big family. Though different languages and national flags I can see in heaven the only language is love, the only flag is the cross of Jesus Christ.

God show me His love through you and all around me. No matter. I don’t know how deep about his love. I only want to response Him with my whole heat and whole life. I only want to live a life in His will. These days I got further encouragement from Him. Nice let you know that I will be a nun. If my life as short as a piece of snow I only want my life to be beautiful and white as snow. Lord be with you!

In Him Maria

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Peace! I have written a letter to tell you how I wanted to join WYD 08, to see our pope. At that time I dare not hold big hope that this will become true, but just keep praying. When I know we got visa I cannot believe my ear. Is it true? To tell you the truth I dare not believe I really can go until I was sitting in the plane. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me.

There are so many moments touched me when I was in Australia. The host family in Melbourne and Sydney take care of us so well, they are so considerable. They prepare food for us when we came home late. They asked if we were cold during night and if we sleep well in the morning. When we have to take bus from Melbourne to Sydney in the early morning the whole family got up to see us off, even the youngest child, he got up just wanted to hug us. When the bus moved they waving their hands to us, I felt heart broken to leave them.

The volunteers on WYD also touched me so much. Any time when you are confused just look around they are standing there and waiting for helping us. No matter how long they have standed anytime you ask their questions they smiled at you. Two boys in my host family are volunteers. We shared our experiences every night and every time I just felt without God and without everybody’s efforts people cannot do this. Organising such a big number of people from the whole world eating sleeping, getting together in one place.

If I were not there I cannot feel this power. I was standing on the ground where Pope addressed the first day. I mean I did saw his face in fact for so many people but I was there at the moment. When he left I just felt my neck was longer than before J My heart was full of joy, cannot use words to describe.

All of young people say hello to each other, smiled at each other. We cannot understand each other’s language but we did the same thing during mass. We are united! We were inspired and refreshed during these days. I felt the fire is burning in my heart. Thanks again!

May God Bless you!

Bessie

Thank you for help me to join it, to open my eye to see , to feel, to accept the love, hope and power from the Holy Spirit, you mightn’t know. I come from a catholic family but I was just a believer before.

I never opened my heart like these two weeks to God and the others. Because when I saw the youth came from everywhere of the world and came together to worship God I was so touched and I was thinking a lot about my life, my faith, the world belongs to God and everything belongs to God. ‘Receive the power from the Holy Spirit. Receive the power to be a light unto the world’. Yes, it’s true. If I don’t open my heart to Him I cannot receive His power. If I can’t see the good thing and His will I can’t be a light to others creations you see.

I really can’t explain my feeling L but there is important I knew Him more than before. Thank you very much and I’m praying for all of you. Hope one day can meet you and say thanks to you and continue praying for me and our community (group). Thank you !!! One more thing. I really like wear the name card and bag of WYD on the street. It’s so handsome! J

Fei Fei