“I was at the WYD” – Madrid 2011 as seen by a seminarian from India

INDIA, Br. Peter Leonard. We started our journey on August 12^th from the Original Shrine by bus. Two buses went from Schoenstatt. One night we stayed in France. During the journey, I came to know a lot of European youth. They were very happy to speak with me. On 13^th late in the evening, we reached Madrid. The boys were accommodated in our Schoenstatt Father’s school (Mount Tabor) and the girls in the Sisters’ Movement house. All were satisfied with the quality of the accommodations.

I look forward to the day when youth in India shout with the same enthusiasm!

From the 14^th to 16^th, we had very good programs in Schoenstatt. They were based on the motto ”Unanimiter”. The programs consisted of talks, singing, Mass, sharing the Schoenstatt experience, a drama about the life history of Fr. J. Kentenich, panel discussions and pilgrimage. What I appreciated most: to see how much love the youngsters had towards Schoenstatt.

This is what I had experienced on the inauguration day of World Youth Day in ”Colón’ (Plaza de Colón). Boys and Girls from Schoenstatt – we were altogether around 2,500 to 3,000 – shouting, ”We are the Schoenstatters”. This was really wonderful; and I look forward to the day when youth in India shout with the same enthusiasm. Brothers Praise, Jaison, and myself took part, and we were aware that first, we had to work hard. Unfortunately there were no young people from India. I think it would be nice and needed to send some boys to such an international get-together. That would be an opportunity to inspire our youth, so that groups would be formed and leadership could arise.

After the inaugural mass, we all came in pilgrimage to the Schoenstatt Fathers’ Shrine, where we had a covenant renewal program. Lots of youngsters renewed their covenant with our Mother Thrice Admirable. An inspiring moment! Indeed, our Schoenstatt Fathers from Spain together with the Schoenstatt Youth had beautifully and meaningfully organized all the above-mentioned programs in the Schoenstatt Fathers’ School and in the Shrine.

Other days in Madrid

All other days, we were left free to chose and attend any program. A lot of spiritual programs, organized all over the city, were offered for example: catechism, singing, prayer services, Mass, etc. We could choose to go to any program.

There were many programs prepared and organized wonderfully, but I have some doubt about how many youngsters really benefited from them. There I have a question as to the thousands of youngsters who came with the intention to enjoy and just to say: I took part in WYD.

On the other hand, I must also admit that quite a good number of youngsters were very pious and spiritual-minded. But to be spiritual in such an enormous crowd is not that easy; it is really challenging, because many love to visit new places and want to be excited by seeing new things and meeting new people.

Holy Mass for seminarians

There was a special Mass just for seminarians in the Cathedral of Madrid. I too was there, but I did not get the opportunity to enter the Cathedral. I was given a place outside the Cathedral. Only some 500 students were inside, all others were outside. It was a good experience to attend the Holy Mass of the Holy Father. All masses were celebrated in Latin Rite and the Spanish language. I did not understand much, but I loved to be there. At the beginning and the end of the mass the Pope passed in his Popemobile near where I was standing, so I could see him very closely. My experience was like the experience of Zachaeus. I was really interested to see the Pope. That was the one of the notable experiences. All the seminarians were shouting ”Benedicto”. It was a wonderful experience to hear such voices.

One of the remarkable and wonderful experiences in my life

At the end of the day, all the youth gathered with the Pope in the place called ‘Cuatro Vientos’ for the night vigil. This place was the old airport. So it was easy to accommodate the great number of people. It was said that around 2.2 million people had gathered there, and it was one of the good experiences to see two millions of people in one place. That shows the love towards the Catholic Church and towards the Holy Father. Everyone was waiting for the arrival of the Holy Father. It was extremely hot on that day. So people felt uncomfortable and were nervous. When the vigil began, then rain and wind also started. But all remained. I observed that the Holy Father also remained in the rain though many went and asked him to quit the place, but he did not move at all. So the situation became totally changed, not all were happy about it. Somehow the vigil went on, and some of the program they cut it due to the rain. At the end, we had blessing, then slowly the rain stopped. Some youth did not stay over night there, but we stayed there. The next day morning the Holy Father celebrated Sunday Mass with youth in the same place. We attended and afterwards left for Schoenstatt. The same day that evening, we returned to Germany.

As a whole, I would say that it was one of the most remarkable and wonderful experiences in my life. I do hope that this experience may help me to work with youngsters in the near future. I thank all those who took the initiative to send us to Madrid, so I could experience WYD.

The author is a seminarian of the Schoenstatt Fathers in India.

English edit: Melissa Peña-Janknegt