A 17,000 km journey from the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie to Sydney Australia concluded with Pope Benedict XVI presiding at the Eucharist with some 350,000 pilgrims.  We began Saturday morning with a 9 km walk that started with us crossing the Sydney Harbour on the harbour bridge, the pilgrim walk journeyed through the streets of downtown city and ended at Randwick Raceway.  As we moved along our journey we reflected on our baptismal call to go out and mission.  We prayed and sang with thousands of pilgrims as we all recognized our individual and universal journey of faith.  The walk ended at Randwick with a final prayerful reflection on the Gifts of the Spirit. 

Saturday evening saw some 250,000 pilgrims pray our evening vigil with Pope Benedict XVI encouraging the youth open our hearts to the working of the Spirit and allow ourselves to be led by that same Spirit.  The Pope assured us that with a simple "yes" to God we will always be supported by God's generous gifts.  That we need to bring the Holy Spirit to everything we do and reflect the Spirit's joy into the darkness of the world.

After a long cold sleep in 1 degree temperatures we awoke to the warmth of the sun and the excitement of knowing we were going to be celebrating the Eucharist with tens of thousands of people.  The morning began with morning prayer and the excitment continued to build.  An hour before Mass began the Pope flew over head and the ground cheered "Benedetto".  As mass drew closer the joyful buzz continued as another 100,000 pilgrims arrived for the Papal Mass.  During his homily, Pope Benedict urged the young people to mission.  "Never discount the power of the Holy Spirit" he said, "Rely on his gifts and bring your enthusiasm to every corner of the world."  Nourished by both word and sacrament the Pope announced that the next World Youth Day would be in Madrid, Spain in 2011.

After the Mass we made a three and a half hour journey back to Stella Maris College to a hot shower and a warm floor.  We have all been touched by God's love and Spirit.  It is the simplicity of faith that has helped us to overcome obstacles and find God's affirmation.  We sign off at the end of our World Youth Day experience.  A few days of site-seeing and a long journey home.  We have experienced the Holy Spirit and we will witness to the ends of the earth.

Fr. Pat Woods

St. Kevin's Parish

Val Therese, ON