"We are one body, one body in Christ, and we do not stand alone..."
Posted by Kate
This morning these words echoed through the church of San Francisco de Borja as many English-speaking pilgrims received the Eucharist after their morning catechesis session. As I sat in the pew and sang along to the familiar tune, I contemplated how much these words are applicable to World Youth Day. I knew one of the benefits of coming here would be to be affected by seeing the gathering of so many diverse cultures for one purpose; I am just not sure I knew how much of an impact it would have on me. Walking through the Plaza del Sol yesterday, we were greeted by so many people who wanted to know where we were from and take their picture with us. However, this could also be because we have been carrying around a Besty Ross flag to stand out from the crowd and many people have been confused about what country we are really from. It is a great way to convey some American history to others! We came upon groups of Italians who taught us a chant, French who invited us to a concert that evening, Germans who exuded kindness and warmth, and Syrians who impressed us with their bravery in standing up for Catholicism. As a group, we later discussed their country and how they were being persecuted for the faith. It must be so amazing and moving for them to be in this environment when people are loving and supportive and rejoicing in Catholicism. As I sit here, I am struggling to find the words to describe how incredible it is to be united with so many others under our love for Christ and His Church. Many people know that this is a highlight of World Youth Day but I think it is a feeling that one just has to experience to understand the importance of.
Today I lived another highlight of WYD, having the great privelege and honor of seeing our Holy Father in person for the second time in my life; the first being at Nationals Stadium when he visited the US in 2008. We waited expectantly to see the "Pope-mobile" drive by, cheering as it passed through the crowds lining Calle de Serrano.
Although there were people pressing in upon me from every side, nothing seemed to matter at that moment other than the fact the Pope Benedict was less than ten feet away from me! He greeted all the pilgrims in the Plaza de Cibelles after the procession, where he accepted gifts from representatives from around the world and gave us his blessing, before the welcome was closed with a stunning performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. Again, I came away from today with my love for the Church strengthened and rejuvinated. It has been such a blessing to experience that so many times throughout this whole trip and to be reminded that conversion, the turning towards God, is a continual process that never ceases during human life.
As we left the Plaza to shouts of, " Viva el Papa!" and wound our way back through the crowds to the hotel, the words from this morning resounded in my head, that we truly are one body in Christ and none of us, whether Americans, Italians, Syrians, or any nationality, ever stands alone.
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