SCHOENSTATT – COLOGNE, mkf. "Build communities based on faith!" says the Pope to the youths during Mass at Mary’s Camp on August 12^th, and he continues with a much applauded paragraph: "In the last decades, movements and communities have been established in which the strength of the Gospel can be felt with great vitality. Seek communion in the faith as road companions who together are following the itinerary of the great pilgrimage which was first pointed out to us by the Magi of the East." It is the youths of the Movements and communities who not only participate, but consciously contribute to the World Youth Days. "They were all very happy and enthusiastic," commented Father Alexandre Awi de Mello after returning to Brazil, "and that is especially in thanksgiving to the idea of taking the Auxiliary Shrine to Cologne. She certainly made miracles in our hearts and gave a new hue to our participation in WYD: we were not going as spectators, but we felt we were the Blessed Mother’s missionaries. We had the mission of taking Her closer to the Pope….."

"A different world is possible," reads a giant placard at Mary’s Camp on the hillside where Holy Mass is celebrated. Yes, it is possible, and the Pope calls the youths to build it.

"The Church is like a human family, but at the same time it is also the great family of God through which He establishes a space of communion and unity on all continents, cultures, and nations. Thus we are happy to belong to this great family; to have brothers, sisters, and friends throughout the world. Precisely here, in Cologne, we had the experience of how beautiful it is to belong to such a great family in the world which comprises heaven and earth, the past, the present, and the future of all regions of the earth. In this great gathering of pilgrims, we walk together with Christ, we walk with the star which illuminates history," said the Pope in the vigil. That is what the youths of the Schoenstatt Family at WYD experienced already before in Schoenstatt, and which was demonstrated in the human chain from the Shrine to the cathedral. Others also see it.

A kerchief is seen in the distance and the question arises, "were you one of the crazy ones which made the human chain to the cathedral? Yes? It was something incredible!" says a girl from California. On the night of the vigil, the youths from Rumania made the silhouette of a Schoenstatt Shrine with candles on one of the sidewalks. People would stop to converse. The warmth of the candles was good. Most people think it is a heart, but that is not what is important and furthermore, it is also true.

Mary’s Camp: cold, mud, hunger, a long wait and an indestructible joy

Mary’s Camp was the central place for WYD. The goal is to fulfill a dream: "I came to see the Pope." Even if it had not rained, all is completely dirty…..shoes…..backpacks…..

The rain was something unimaginable…..The night is cold, around 12 degrees Celsius. For most it’s winter temperature and not all of the sleeping bags are lined. Food provisions did not function well nor did the dividing of the camp: in the end, everyone was where they were not supposed to be….. The youths did not imagine what awaited them as they left Mary’s Camp: long hours of waiting, cancelled bus schedules, somehow everything was in chaos. But all of this cound not defeat their joy!

We have gathered contributions throughout the whole year

Glimpses can be seen on how great the joy is at the end of WYD when one knows what all had to be done for the youths to get here. The trip from Australia to Germany costs almost 2,000 euros.

"We have gathered contributions for a whole year. We’ve sold chocolates, prepared Holy Masses, held parties and other activities. That is how we got the money together: 16,000 Australian dollars which is about 8,000 euros," says Jonathan, one of the four Schoenstatters from Australia who arrived in Cologne. "We had not really expected to get the money together, but Sr. Rebeca told us: God will take care of the money and the sum will grow and grow….."

They have with them a banner which was signed by many people who supported them: "There are not only four of us here…..," said Jonathan.

For the four of them, the road to the next WYD will be much shorter. "The next WYD will be in Sydney," the Pope announced at the final Eucharist. "And I will go." Naturally, the four Australians will also go and they say they want to collaborate as volunteers in the organization. Jonathan thinks that "WYD will be a great challenge for Sydney. I hope that strengthens the Church and the Catholic youths of Sydney and of all Australia." Natalia, also an Australian, says: "Australia is on the other side of the World, but please come! We have come here. Do not be afraid!"

To see the Pope

Many youths planned a great deal of time to see the Pope: "I waited for him for 6 hours at the cathedral." "I was within two meters from him," says María from Mar del Plata, Argentina. "All of the difficulties and the disappointments of the previous day do not matter. I was able to see him very close."

Two 15 and 16 year olds from Wobingen innocently shared: "WYD was simply something special. Everyone here is honest. My brother lost his cellular phone and his backpack. He recovered both items and there was not a penny missing."

What was most important at WYD? "The Pope is one of the most important persons in the World, perhaps the most important. I do not say it in the sense that he has power as let’s say, for example, that a George Bush has power. The Pope unites everyone, he is in favor of peace and in favor of Christ."

To the renewal of the World

The Pope’s insistence on the renewal of the World gets your attention. Speaking about the Magi, he says to the youths: "They set off on their journey to meet this King; deep within themselves they felt prompted to go in search of the true justice that can only come from God, and they wanted to serve this King, to fall prostrate at his feet and so play their part in the renewal of the world. They were among those "who hunger and thirst for justice" (Mt 5,6). This hunger and thirst had spurred them on in their pilgrimage – they had become pilgrims in search of the justice that they expected from God, intending to devote themselves to its service."

The youths place themselves at the service of God and the Blessed Mother. A regional daily newspaper from Baviera says in an article on the experiences of the youths in Cologne: "A young Chilean girl gave to Katharina an image of the Virgin." Yes, it is one of the small Pilgrim images from Brazil which were given out on the "Evening of the Magi" in Schoenstatt. Now it is in a home in Baviera.

Translation: Carlos Cantu, LaFeria, Texas, USA