By Maricel Bedra

‘VENIMUS ADORE EUM!’ ‘We have come to worship Him!’ The World Youth Day (WYD) gathering of young (and old) inCologne, focused on faith that is centered on Jesus and the Eucharist, wasn’t for my group just a day event but twelve days of prayer, worship and friendship.

The author, from Victorias City, Negros Occidental, takes care of an elderly couple in Dublin, Ireland, where she is also actively involved with the Legion of Mary.

11 August (Thursday)

With 30 other young, enthusiastic and hopeful members of the Legion of Mary from Ireland and two priests, flew from Dublinat 11am for Zurich, from where a bus brought us to Austria to meet and interact with young Austrian delegates before heading for Cologne. Stayed in Salvatori College dormitory, ten minutes’ walk from Lake Constance. Warm welcome and lovely meal. After we checked in, another ‘meal’ was shared - the Holy Eucharist. Church beautiful and peaceful. The Holy Mass helped me to settle and focus on why I was there.

12 August (Friday)

We started this sunny day in the best way, with morning praise. After a good breakfast, happily served by the three Polish nuns running the dormitory, we ‘chilled out’ at the lake. Still in disbelief that I was in beautiful Austria. Many locals and tourists enjoying the warm waters and sun. Enjoyed my swimming, as I hadn’t been to the beach in Ireland for a long time because of the cold water.

Evening Mass followed by a concert to welcome us. The work and preparation  by the young Austrian team that night was amazing. Dancing, singing, and getting-to-know-you activities. Late night!

13 August (Saturday)

Another day of worship and prayer! Through nature – 10 km mountain hike. Packed lunches. Everybody thrilled to see the awesome and serene landscape of the Austrian mountains. Not without slips, glides, falls and dirt - tiring but enjoyable.

14 August (Sunday)

Mass in German, English and Irish with lively singing and participation by all. Beautiful!

Afternoon, workshops and other activities including rosary bead-making, street evangelisation, Irish Céilí and set-dancing and an anti-abortion lecture that I attended. Shocked to hear that more than a thousand babies are aborted every year in Austria. But I admire the dedication and work of MARIA, a pro-life organization that helps pregnant women not to take the abortion option.

15 August (Monday)

We set off at 5am for Germany, with stops to stretch and eat during the 5-hour bus trip to Himmelfahrt (Ascension) parish inDusseldorf where we were being hosted. Atmosphere lively, friendly and accommodating. The young Austrians happy to stay in a school hall. Irish distributed among host families. With five others, I stayed in an apartment owned by a lady, to my surprise, an active member of the local Protestant church! Quite remarkable how quickly a city can change and suddenly lose its indifference.

16 August (Tuesday)

Given our individual ‘Weltjuventag, Köln’ (‘WYD Cologne’) rucksack, meal tickets and nametag, the latter the ‘passport’ to all public transport and different events around the cities. Wore it with pride as an official delegate!

Busy attending different events. At 4pm, 50,000 pilgrims assembled in the LTU arena in Dusseldorf, awash in colorful flags waved by participants from all over the world waiting for the opening Mass at 6pm, which Cardinal Karl Lehman, President of the German Bishops’ Conference, celebrated, with nearly 200 concelebrants. A wonderful concert by international performers entertained us afterwards.

17 August (Wednesday)

A wave of good humour flowing into the city with WYD! Streets, squares, underground terminals, bus stations, markets and museums overcrowded.

On our way to the River Rhine in Cologne we greeted each other with ‘high fives’ ‘hey, amigo’ or a simple ‘hello!’ Nearly a million pilgrims had arrived to visit to Cologne Cathedral where the relics of the Three Wise Men are displayed. A very long procession, so we prayed many decades of the rosary. A rather contemplative pilgrimage was turning into something of a happening. Crowds from Italy waving their huge flags and chanting ‘Benedetto’ with rhythmic clapping in anticipation of the Pope we would finally meet in the next few days. ‘If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!’ So we did!

18 August (Thursday)

After the chaotic transport system yesterday, it was far better to walk than wait your turn to get on a train. Our group decided to do street evangelization in downtown Dusseldorf. We went in pairs and distributed miraculous medals and leaflets. We introduced ourselves as Legionaries of Mary and spoke about the organization and the Catholic faith. Some politely said they weren’t interested. We didn’t insist. As Frank Duff, our founder (http://www.legionofmary.org/fduff.htm), says in the LegionHandbook, ‘Offer the faith to every person. Our Blessed Mother is their mother too. And offer it with a smile!’ We got a good response. The experience was challenging!

19 August (Friday)

We walked to a nearby parish for catechism, like little children on a field trip!!! The worst - I was assigned to be the official ‘headcounter’ of this wild Irish group!

An afternoon of cultural entertainment, delightful food and getting to know each other at an international gathering of Legionaries of Mary in a packed St Himmelfahrt’s. It’s amazing how the organization has spread all over the world from very humble beginnings in Dublin.

20 August (Saturday)

The ant-like trails of a more than a million people walking from various directions and finally coming together at Marienfeld (Mary’s Field) to meet the Pope was fascinating.

I particularly admired the Germans for their organization and logistics of this huge event. They were environment-conscious too. The paper plates and cutlery made of corn grains could be used as compost. Portable toilets, washing areas, drinking-water stations and segregated bins were in every corner.

The atmosphere that night was vibrant. We stayed around the big screen, enjoying the prayers and music. A beautiful scene when the candles were lit in the pitch dark at Marienfeld.

21 August (Sunday)

Thank God, it didn’t rain! But all the sleeping bags got damp from the dew. Woke up at 6 on a bitterly cold morning, went to the coffee station and tried to keep myself warm. Very few people were up. The cold night surely had ‘frozen’ some. Slowly, morning was breaking. Music playing and people starting to wake. I tried to get closer to the pathway where I thought the ‘popemobile’ would pass. Unfortunately, the closest I could get was near the big screen. The Mass was long but we didn’t feel it. It was beautiful. I was very happy! The message of the Pope to go home and bring the Good News to everybody was challenging. Once you’ve found Christ, you can’t keep the joy to yourself, just like the Wise Men after they saw baby Jesus, who kept the faith and shared it with others!

After Mass, we let the crowd ease up a bit and started our journey back with a long walk along the fields to the train station. Most local families had prepared hot tea and water outside their homes for the pilgrims. What a remarkable event!

22 August (Monday)

An evening flight back to Dublin, so a free morning. A friend and I visited the Carmelite monastery in Cologne. Our hostess offered to bring us. What’s special about the monastery is Edith Stein, St Benedicta of the Cross, (http://www.ewtn.com/faith/edith_stein.htm) a Jewish-German woman who was once atheist but became a Catholic saint and martyr. The place was very peaceful. A young nun showed us some relics of Edith and told us the saint’s wonderful story. A good way to end the visit to Germany.

On the plane, I was recalling every detail of my experience. I said to myself, ‘Definitely, I have come to worship Him! I’m going home tired but refreshed and happy’ . . . Roll on WYD, Sydney 2008!

You may contact Maricel at mlbtulla@yahoo.com