WYD Reflection

Erica wouldn't post it so I am posting her WYD reflection for her. Henry...where's yours? :)

I’d like to start off my description of my trip by saying Sydney is probably the most beautiful city I have ever seen in my entire life. But yeah— even though it was winter and it was cold as HECK the first day, I must say that the crisp air of Sydney was a total delight. It seemed as if their air was soooo much cleaner (despite the people who smoked in crowded places…) and their water was actually a beautiful color. The sun even came out some days and it was actually HOT at points, haha! The bathrooms were all really nice and clean.. it actually really surprised me. (The water also spins the opposite way…) And it’s just been really weird coming back and seeing people drive on the RIGHT(double meaning :p) side of the road again. I’m actually kind of scared to drive now because I’m so used to seeing our bus drive on the left side. But yeah.. there were so many things to see and experience in just Sydney, and I’m really glad we got to experience most of it. I saw wallabies, koalas, and the biggest sharks and manta rays EVER. (All in the zoo, but still it was so coool.) We went to so many places—St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife World, the Blue Mountains, the Sydney Opera house, Harbor Bridge, Sydney Tower, Royal National Park… the list goes on! It was pretty freaking crazy I must say. I can’t believe how many new things I saw/experienced. And that’s only the tourism part of it haha.

World Youth Day itself—the only word to describe it: WOW. It seems kind of unreal that just a few days ago I was that close to Pope Benedict XVI himself. And to realize that I had Mass with hundreds of thousands of Catholics from all over the world? It’s such a great feeling. I think I would have to say out of all the WYD events though, the opening Mass was the best. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a better homily than the one Cardinal George Pell gave during that Mass. I’m a sucker for homilies that actually have to do with the readings that are read during the Liturgy of the Word, and I must say that he not only referred to each of them, but he gave probably one of the most insightful and relatable homilies I have ever heard. You know what? I think I’m going to print it out right now and keep it forever. HAHA! :]

Catechesis was alright—I think all of the talks were really good. Our Worship Band totally could’ve owned the one that we had, though.. :x but that’s besides the point! Haha. Got to see Hillsongs United and Matt Maher in concert . Weeeee! It was pretty funny because the way they organized it was kinda like Hillsongs ft. Matt Maher but in reality, you could tell all of us were really there for Matt Maher. :P Wish he played a whole set though. But yeah—it was still nice seeing him in concert again. Me and Br. Andrew had REALLY long conversations about music (liturgical and praise & worship) and talked about the music really only supplements the Word. And with Matt Maher’s music, you can really see the difference in his music and other bands’ music because of the way he really incorporates Scripture in his lyrics. But yes.. straying away from that, meeting Henry and then Peter and the SD gang at Randwick Racecourse was really nice too. I didn’t think I’d actually get to see them there, but I’m really sooo glad I did. Sleeping outside under the stars that one night was soo crazy though haha. I can’t believe how cold it was!!

Going with the IVE (Institute of the Incarnate Word) was an experience in itself. It was almost like a constant Vocations Expo. No need to go to the ones they had at WYD, heh. It was so great hanging out with the sisters and the seminarians from IVE, and I learned so much from them it’s not even funny. Regarding discernment, I think I’ve quelled a lot of fears talking to them. It’s weird—- I don’t think I’ve ever felt so comfortable/open to the idea of religious life. Sure, I don’t know if I’m called to it yet, but I think now I see no reason not to be open to it. The way I see it—if your vocation is the way God calls you to be happy, there is no reason to reject it and go with what YOU think will make you happy. Because honestly—- who knows best? :P And if anything, if you live your life the way you’re called to live it, that’s where you find true happiness. I can honestly say that seeing the way the seminarians and sisters live their life that I’ve seen living proof of this genuine happiness, so it’s not something that’s very scary anymore. (Then again, I don’t know if I’m called to it! So maybe it’s just easier to say that now :p Heh. If that’s the case, I hope I obtain a lot of grace in the meantime so it’s less of a blow :p.) But anyway, talks I had with Sr. Templum, Sr. Panagia, and Br. Dan & Br. Andrew especially—I think were all really good for me. Not to mention I met a bunch of other Catholic youths who are just as passionate about the faith as I am. :] I’m hoping we all keep in touch until the next WYD in Madrid! :o. Or God willing, the IVE trip to Greece next year for the end of the year of St. Paul.
But yes—-I think it was really great going to daily Mass ever since July 5th. Definitely huge graces in that, and two Reconciliations within a week or so of each other? Woo. :] I’m really hoping that when I get to college I’ll be able to go to daily Mass or at least a couple of times a week. We’ll see how that goes. If it doesn’t happen, hopefully I’ll end up reading this later and get up offa my butt and do it!

I can honestly say that it feels nice to be back, but at the same time I want to remember not to just look back on my trip as a kind of dream and remain unchanged. I already feel myself reverting back to my normal self, but like Cardinal George Pell said in the Opening Mass,

“These days will pass too quickly and next week we shall return to earth. For a time some of you will find the real world of home and parish, work or study, flat and disappointing. Soon, too soon, you will all be going away. Briefly we are now here in Sydney at the centre of the Catholic world, but next week the Holy Father will return to Rome, we Sydneysiders will return to our parishes, while you, now visiting pilgrims, will go back to your homes in places near and far. In other words during next week we shall be parting from one another. When we part after these happy days, let us never part from our loving God and his Son Jesus Christ. And may Mary, Mother of God, whom we invoke in this World Youth Day as Our Lady of the Southern Cross, strengthen us in this resolution.

And so I pray. Come, come O Breath of God, from the four winds, from all the nations and peoples of the earth and bless our Great South Land of the Holy Spirit. Empower us also to be another great and immense army of humble servants and faithful witnesses.
And we make this prayer to God our Father in the name of Christ his Son. Amen.”

It’s important that even in the times of desolation, that you don’t lose faith. There are times where you may be on a “spiritual-high,” and that’s good— treasure that! But make sure you don’t lose that feeling in times of dryness! Keep your faith alive! :] In fact, use those times to pray even more, because then you know for sure that it’s not all about YOU anymore. It’s about Him.