XX WORLD YOUTH DAY - COLOGNE 2005

“We Have Come to Adore You …”

Yasmine Cajuste

VMY International President 

After ending our 2^nd VMY General Assembly in Paris, we prepared to go as pilgrims to the city of Cologne, in order to adore Jesus in the poor the way the Three Wise Men did. We were met with the rainy weather upon arrival in Dusseldorf in the morning of the 13^th of August. But this was contrasted by the openness and love that the Germans, young volunteers and other parishioners of the St. Margaret Parish alike, who welcomed us. After the seven-hour trip, we reached Germany with the hope of knowing better the new Shepherd who will accompany the journey of the People of God.   

Accommodated in three different places (Düsseldorf, Haan y Solingen) we, the 400 participants from the different branches of the Vincentian Family who registered with the VMY International, were sub-divided into language groups during the catechesis, faith celebrations, accommodations and trips. The Superior General, Fr. Gregory Gay, together with the Delegate to the Vincentian Family, Fr. Manuel Ginete, graced the occasion and visited the different groups in their respective areas of accommodation.   

This gathering of young people all over the world with the new Pope had very special moments. On August 16, the Opening Eucharistic Celebration presided by Cardinals Joachim Meisner and Karl Lehmann and Bishop Franz Josef Bode in the cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf and Bonn respectively, marked the beginning of this pilgrimage whose objective was to encounter Jesus. Then, on the 18^th, we welcomed the Pope by listening with him the Word of God and the sharing of experiences of some young people who underwent a Day of Social Service. The different groups of pilgrims had a program of activities that included two days of catechesis in their own languages, pilgrimage to the Cologne Cathedral with the possibility of receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation and participate in the International Mass. In the afternoon each group chose their own activities within the great variety of religious and cultural festivals or social debates that the World Youth Day Program suggested.  For many the pilgrimage to the Cologne Cathedral and the discovery of the Reliquary of the of the Three Wise Men were very special moments to reflect over the personal search for Christ and renew their desire to live in holiness by becoming witnesses of faith.      

August 19 was a very special day for our Vincentian Family; we traveled from our different cities of accommodation to Düsseldorf in order to celebrate the 3^rd Vincentian Youth Festival from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. After a short prayer and the Welcome Address of Fr. Gregory, we listened to the talk of Rita Oliva, Society of St. Vincent de Paul International Youth Delegate, on Vincentian Youth Spirituality. She reminded us of the need to update the Vincentian charism with the impetus of the youth yet remaining faithful to the essence of this spirituality: charity that is manifested in the person to person contact and the search for the integral goodness of the person.  Later, three young people made a testimony on their experiences: Robert Nicoleau of Haiti shared about the VMY General Assembly which was held in Paris on August 7-13 emphasizing on the lines of action that will serve as guidelines for the journey of the Association in the upcoming years; Blas Velasquez of Paraguay presented the project that they are doing in their own VMY Center as a response to the International Campaign of "Globalization of Charity, Fight Against Hunger;" and  Voanginirina François de Paul Ravazaha from Madagascar and newly-elected VMY International Councilor shared about the work that they have made in collaboration with the other branches of the Vincentian Family in line with the "Political Action: Fight Against Malaria." Leaflets about the different branches of the Vincentian Family in seven languages (Spanish, French, English, Portuguese, Italian, German and Polish) were distributed. The festival ended with the cultural presentations from VMY Egypt, SSVP Brazil, VMY Taiwan and VMY Slovakia and the cocktails generously offered by Anne Sturm, previous AIC International President and the German Volunteers.

At the example of the Wise Men from the East who made their pilgrimage from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, the last day brought us to the hill of Marienfield, some 30 kms. From Cologne, where the Vigil with the Pope and the Closing Liturgy were held. The arrival of the Pope roused great joy in this place where a monastery was founded in the year 1150. The Vigil celebration started with the procession of the World Youth Day Cross and the icon of the Blessed Virgin. The recitation of the psalms, celebration of the light and the adoration of the Eucharist reminded us of the real presence of Jesus in the Holy Sacrament, His being Light of World and Bread from Heaven. The Vigil ended with different cultural activities. After a night of cold and humidity, we celebrated the Closing Liturgy, the traditional "Missa mundi," in a new musical context the day after.  Each part of this mass was presented in different melodies proper of the five continents. At the end of the celebration, Pope Benedict XVI blessed the pilgrims who are gathered for the occasion; there were more than one million pilgrims from 193 countries all over the world.