Since my return from the World Youth Day in Madrid, I have been meeting with my friends and sharing my experiences with them . Here are some of the top frequent questions that has consistently surfaced .
1. Was the WYD a life changing experience ?
I do not feel that I have been tremendously changed from my pilgrimage to Madrid, but I do feel a sense of change slowly taking place. I don't think it was an instant wake up call, but rather one that is taking root in my heart. It was certainly an eye opening experience, that has gotten me burning to change.
I return with a conviction of my faith , enforced that Jesus is our God and Saviour. I am embolden to stand up for my faith and to live my life as a Catholic with Hope, Love , Joy and Charity. I am eager to share my experience with anyone who ask. I am reminded that I have been created to do great things, because I am His beloved creation. I resolve to do my best, so that my Saviour did not die in vain.
2. What was the single most significant event of the WYD ?
Honestly, I cannot say, except that it was the overall experience. I saw millions of Catholic , united in their faith. I saw the joy of being a Catholic, and the open expression of love for Jesus. I was overwhelmed by the open celebration of our faith by the Pilgrims. I was awed that Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament brings millions of people to their knees in silence. I was humbled by the thousands of priest, bishops and religious who gave their life in service to Christ. To me, the most significant event in the WYD, was the whole event in itself. The people I met, my experiences and my own personal spiritual journey in Madrid
3. What was the most memorable event in Madrid ?
Interestingly enough, this was actually not an official program in the WYD. It was on the first day of the Cathechesis Sessions, where I went to the Love and Life Center (Center for English Speaking Pilgrims). I arrived late, and the venue was closed as it was full. As I was waiting outside, I met a few Malaysian Pilgrims in a similar plight, who was tagging along with pilgrims from the Chicago Diocese.
It was then, that the Priest - Fr Mani, sought his Bishop's permission, and they decided to hold an impromptu cathechesis session right at the doors of the Love and Life center. Fr Mani, called those within earshot, to gather round, make themselves comfortable. He asked us to introduce where we were all from (Washington, Malaysia, Chicago, New York etc) .
We started with the daily scripture reading. Then Fr Mani brought up the topic "The Challenges of our Faith". He asked us what are the challenges that we face when practicing our faith, and he called upon the Malaysians first. We openly shared with the group, the challenges we Malaysians had in practicing our faith, including the confiscation of bibles, obstruction in building places of worship, prohibition on using the word Allah, prohibition in the open worship, desecration of the Eucharist and etc.
He further asked us how it made us feel , and why we felt this way. As I shared, I realized that I was choking and tearing. I did not realise that these pent up issues had built an emotional burden within me.
One question that we could not answer was " With all these challenges, How do we practice our faith? ". I guess by then, we were caught up with emotions.
After the session & the sharing with all, a number of pilgrims from US came up to us Malaysians. They thanked us for our open sharing which touched them. Some of them asked us further questions, and offered their prayers for us.
Well Fr Mani, I've reflected on your question , and here is my answer. I will stand firmly in my right to practice my faith and to share my faith openly with Love , Joy , Hope and Charity (As Archbishop Dolan said in his cathechesis session)
Btw , Fr Mani is a newly ordained priest, and it was so inspiring to see his enthusiasm, energy and initiative.
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Wonderful! thank you for sharing your personal memories which testify that our beliefs in Jesus and the church are real.
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