World Youth Day Experience in the Eyes of Our Youth (Part 3)

A Transformative Week at World Youth Day: A Journey of Faith, Unity, and Inspiration

The week flew by in a whirlwind of experiences! The culmination of World Youth Day has arrived - a pinnacle moment - a weekend that brought together millions of young people from across the globe. Over a day and a half, we prayed, sang, slept under the stars, and shared our faith and hope for the future.

The journey began on a Saturday morning as we made our way to the park, where the weekend with the Pope would unfold. It was truly the start of an unforgettable adventure. Due to congestion, transportation wasn't feasible, so we walked - a two-and-a-half-hour trek, navigating the heat amidst a sea of fellow pilgrims. Our arrival at the park around 4:00 PM marked the beginning of a unique encounter - our sector was quite a distance from the stage and the Pope, but we were blessed with proximity to a large screen. We settled in, laid out our mattresses, and sought a moment of rest after the arduous journey in the scorching heat.

While awaiting the Pope's arrival and the official evening commencement, we immersed ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere. We snapped photos with other groups, connected with familiar faces from various countries, and exchanged meaningful souvenirs. (It's incredible how our Israeli flag acted as a magnet, drawing people towards us!)

Around 9:00 PM, the evening prayer with the Pope commenced. At a particular moment, silence enveloped the crowd for two profound minutes - a powerful and moving experience as a million and a half young souls united in silence and prayer. The prayer service featured illuminated keywords and the Pope's message to the youth, creating a truly transcendent moment.

Following the prayer, the night unfolded freely. Some of us retired for sleep, others continued mingling and forging connections, and some, though tired, chose to embrace the vibrant atmosphere.

The next day dawned with an exceptional and energizing wake-up call. What began as a tranquil "Hallelujah" transformed into an exuberant beachside trance party. Surprisingly, the music maestro behind this lively event was none other than a priest who moonlights as a DJ - he intuitively knew how to rouse the spirits of countless young hearts. Our own youth group was swept up in the excitement, making waking up an effortless feat for the first time!

Following our early revelry and amidst the field conditions, we organized ourselves as best we could, packed our mattresses, and prepared for the mass. In between, naturally, we took more group photos and swapped tokens of our unforgettable journey.

Before the Mass began, the Pope embarked on a journey through all sectors, an ardent effort to connect with as many of us as possible. The mass was a beautiful culmination, where despite the heat and fatigue, the Pope's sermon resonated deeply, offering words of hope and strength to the assembled youth.

After the Mass, as the crowds began to disperse, we embarked on our return journey - walking back to the city, to our accommodations. By evening, we had nearly reached the school where we'd been lodging, and the remainder of the night was ours to enjoy.

The following day marked our departure from the accommodations, with a few hours before our night flight back home. Before parting ways, we celebrated a Mass in Hebrew. It was an incredible experience, whether due to the joy of once again celebrating Mass in our native language after two weeks or witnessing our young group fervently lead the entire Mass - it was undeniably special, a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary week.

And just like that, the next day, we found ourselves back in Israel.

This experience has been nothing short of astonishing. A week-long gathering of cultures, people, nations, languages, and most importantly - faith. Witnessing countless teenagers come together in the name of religion and belief is a remarkable sight. The motive to attend such an event is not solely religious and spiritual, but also social - an opportunity to connect with other young people and various groups. For our youth, encountering and interacting with numerous young Christians like themselves was an experience in its own right. Holding the Israeli flag high and observing the delight it brought to others when they encountered it, underscored the presence of Christians in the Land of Israel, particularly those who speak Hebrew.

As Fr. Piotr articulated during our final Hebrew Mass, this week nudged us slightly out of our comfort zones, prompting us to set aside our familiar luxuries - the comforts of home, cozy beds, and instant amenities. This week, we slept on the ground, braved the heat, and walked for hours to sleep under the open sky - a departure from our norm. And all of this? To be part of the Pope's presence, albeit on a screen.

Undoubtedly, each young person derived something meaningful from this week. The experience was impactful, empowering, and will undoubtedly fortify them as they journey back into their own lives. As the Pope declared, everything received during this week will be shared with others, becoming a guiding light in moments of darkness.

Several sentences from the Pope's discourse resonated deeply with the youth, forming the core message for them:

"There is room for everyone in the Church, and when there isn't, make sure there is room - even for those who falter, who make mistakes, who struggle. Room for all, for everyone!"

"Friend, when God calls you by name, it signifies that for Him, we are not just numbers but individuals with faces and hearts."

"The only time you should look down on someone is when you're helping them up."

"God's love is the only thing in life that's free."

"Do not be afraid!"

And now? Our young people are already gearing up for the next World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027!