CHRONICLE OF "FROM COLOGNE 2005 TO SYDNEY 2008"

(International Gathering of WYD Organizers)

Sassone di Ciampino, Rome Italy April 7-9, 2006

At 5:30 dawn on Thursday, April 6, Yasmine Cajuste, VMY International President, and I left for Rome to represent the Vincentian Marian Youth (VMY) during the International Gathering of the World Youth Day (WYD) Organizers.This encounter, which was called for by the Pontifical Council of the Laity (PCL,) aimed to evaluate the WYD Cologne 2005 as well as discuss the initial plans for the preparation of the WYD Sydney 2008.

The first day commenced with a concelebrated Eucharistic Celebration officiated by Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko, PCL President, at the charmingly simple chapel of the “Il Carmelo.” During the homily, he stressed on the essential pillars of youth ministry, encouraging everyone to face today’s challenges unrelentingly. After the Mass, all the delegates proceeded to the Session Hall for the conference proper. Archbishop Rylko gave the words of welcome to the delegates, thanked Cologne for WYD 2005 and wished Sydney “Good Luck” for WYD 2008. He also presented the themes of the Church for 2006 (“Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet,”) for 2007 (“Love One Another as I have Loved You”) and for 2008 (“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses.") He ended by saying that the work of evangelization is one that is truly fascinating.

Msgr. Francis Khon, Head of the Youth Section and moderator of the encounter, then gave the objectives of the meeting and presented the programme itself. This was followed by the sharing of Bishop Franz-Josef Bode on “WYD 2005: Pastoral Impact on Germany” who presented video clips of the pastoral and social work as well as the preparation of the volunteers for the said WYD. The morning session ended with an open discussion and evaluation of the pastoral aspects of WYD 2005.

After hearty lunch of pasta et al (Viva Italia!) we continued with the plenary session with two reports from the WYD Cologne Organizers: “The Fruits of World Youth Day in the Archdiocese of Cologne” by Cardinal Joachim Meisner and “Organizational Challenges of WYD 2005" by Bishop Heiner Koch and Hermann-Josef Johanns. The evaluation of the logistical aspects of the WYD 2005 done through an open forum followed. Then, conclusions based on the sharing of the delegates and the responses of the organizers were drawn out. As thus, the first day concluded with an evening prayer and vigil after dinner.

The second day awoke with a fresh start. A concelebrated Mass was held with Cardinal George Pell (Archbishop of Australia) as Presider and Bishop Anthony Fisher (Chairperson of the WYD 2008 Organizing Committee) as Homilist. After this the delegates moved to the Session Hall for another set of talks: “WYD 2008: Pastoral Dynamics of the Preparation Phase” by Bishop Josef Clemens, “The Reasons for Choosing Sydney, Challenges and Expectations” by Cardinal George Pell and “The Church in Australia” Bishop Anthony Fisher. Bishop Anthony then presented and explained the meaning of the official logo of the WYD 2008 as well as shared the foreseen program of activities. After which, one of the members of the Organizing Team shared about the pastoral preparation through a power point presentation. He encouraged everyone to subscribe the “e-Pilgrimage,” an online preparatory catechesis, through the official WYD Web Site: www.wyd2008.org Then,a “Q & A” session followed but was cut short with the arrival of the representatives from the Australian and the New South Wales governments.The said representatives expressed their full-support for WYD Sydney 2008; something that the organizers in Cologne did not receive from the German government during WYD 2005. Archbishop Rylko expressed both delight and gratitude and invited the guests to join the delegates for lunch.

The afternoon session was dedicated to the continuation of the “Q & A” and the presentation of information, plans and logistics concerning WYD 2008 by the Australian Organizing Committee. Another open forum followed and then conclusions were made by Bishop Anthony who thanked the WYD predecessors, especially Cologne, for the gift of experiences, the PCL for being wonderful a work partner, the delegates and God. He also requested everyone to invoke God’s power for the tasks in the days ahead. Cardinal Rylko gave the Closing Remarks, said a series of thanks and expressed hope in the said endeavor of and for the Youth.Then, an evening prayer was done. After dinner, an “Australian Evening,” a variety show presentation participated in by the Emmanuel School of Mission and the youth from Australia, was held. The second day ended with everyone feeling light-hearted.

On the third day all the delegates got up really early so as not to miss the coaches which brought us to St. Peter’s Square for the Palm Sunday Mass with Pope Benedict XVI at 9:30 a.m. It was a very solemn ceremony and a good number of young people crowded the venue. After the communion, the WYD Cross was passed by the young people of Cologne to the youth of Australia. The Eucharistic Celebration concluded two hours later.

After the mass, Yasmine and I met with Antonella Malfatti and Sr. Annaluisa Rizzello, National President and National Sister Advisor of VMY Italy respectively. They, together with some other National Council Officers and Sister Advisors as well as Carla Panderese, an incoming VMY International Secretariat volunteer, led us to the Daughters of Charity (DC) Provincial House in Rome. We had a wonderful lunch there and after a short visit of the Archives, which featured an exhibit of the 150th Anniversary of the DC in Rome, they presented us some tokens of welcome. Later in the evening, Sr. Alena showed us around the city. Then the day after, Carla also joined us for the Vatican Museum visit.

On Tuesday morning, we did a courtesy call at the CM Curia and met the Father General, Fr. Gregory Gay, as well as the members of the Curia Secretariat. We had an agape during the coffee break. In spite of the short stay, we left the place with a warm heart having finally matched the faces with the names of our contact persons--- our friends and partners in service.Then, Yasmine and I went to visit some other tourist spots in the afternoon.

With the experiences we had for the past six days, we left Rome at 10:30 in the morning of Wednesday, April 13 in a blithe and optimistic mood knowing that indeed there are so many laborers tilling the soil of the youth and the poor in the Lord’s vineyard; laborers who are empowered by the Holy Spirit and raring to become real witnesses of the Gospel till the farthest ends of the earth.

Pamela B. Mantuhac