Todo listo para la catequesis Everything prepared for the catechesis Alles klar für die Katechese
Exposición del Mons. Wiesemann Talk by Bishop Wiesemann Katechese von Bischof Wiesemann
Misa Holy Mass Messe
Mons. Wiesemann conversando con los jóvenes Bishop Wiesemann talking with youth Bischof Wiesemann im Gespräch mit Jugendlichen
Participación activa en la catequesis Active participation Die Jugendlichen sind aktiv beteiligt
Fotos: Cabero © 2005
El grupo Symbolum animó la jornada The group “Symbolum” contributed with songs and music Die Gruppe “Symbolum” hatte die musikalische Gestaltung
Publico Audience Publikum
Moderación Moderation Moderation
Fotos: POS, Brehm © 2005

WYD-SCHOENSTATT, pca. Bishop Dr. Karl-Heinz Wiesemann, auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Paderborn, expressed concretely the topic "Meeting Jesus in the Eucharist." This took place today in Holy Trinity Church. The open sharing of opinions, the active participation of the youth, and the close encounter with Bishop Wiesemann gave the WYD a unique touch.

The second meeting on catechesis has begun in Cologne. Close to 9 AM, everything is ready in Holy Trinity Church. The sun is shining for the start of this meeting. People are slowly arriving and this time, the musical group Symbolum from the Ulm Diocese, is in charge of motivation.

A live testimony

Far from presenting a complicated theological essay, Bishop Wiesemann spoke about the Eucharist in simple examples and above all about his personal testimony. It was a presentation full of life, very convincing and of interest to the youths.

The Bishop highlighted the living presence of Jesus in the Eucharist: through it we Christians have the possibility of meeting God in daily life. "This is a great gift. It is not something which can be presumed," he asserted. He also reminded that this was the experience of the apostles, "they met Jesus personally and He told each one of them: come and follow me." He emphasized that this calling continues here and now and that it is not something purely historical which happened 2,000 years ago.

Bishop Wiesemann related that as a child he was an altar server. Participating in the liturgy allowed him to identify with Jesus on Good Friday, but he was also able to feel the joy of the resurrection like Mary Magdalen.

Adoration and reconciliation: roads to the Eucharist

In conclusion, Bishop Wiesemann indicated that the Eucharist, on one hand, leads to adoration as an expression of the intimate encounter with Jesus consecrated in the bread and the wine. On the other hand, the Eucharist leads to the sacrament of reconciliation which is understood as a love response to Him who gave His all.

After the presentation, the public applauded the Bishop for his presentation. Then the moderators of the meeting, Martin Heckenberger and Michaela Schaich, invited those present to reflect in groups on questions prepared on the day’s topic.

We should clean our rooms regularly

At this time the youths acknowledged that many times communion is received without being fully conscious that Jesus is really present. In the final lecture confession was compared to a form of cleaning one’s room. "We know that after some time it will be again in disarray, but it is good to clean it regularly," Erika affirmed.

The simplicity of children often surprises the great experts. This happened today when Nathalie Kasper, a 13 year old, asked Bishop Wiesemann: "How can Jesus really be in the host?" A question of faith which Bishop Wiesemann also answered with simplicity, "First, one must know that Jesus is present in the host. Then, with the experience of faith which grows little by little, it is possible to have a personal encounter with Jesus. From understanding to the heart."

Personal encounter with the youths

When the time came for Holy Mass, the organizers quickly prepared the altar in order to begin on time. In the sacristy, it was evident that the priest concelebrants – among them Bishop Dr. Peter Wolf, Fr. Lothar Penners, and Fr. Duncan McVicar – were ready. This did not bother Bishop Wiesemann who remained speaking to the youths up to the last moment.

Due to the arrival of the Pope, many of those present did not participate in Holy Mass. Nevertheless, the atmosphere which had been created during the meeting prevailed during the Eucharist. After the morning reflextions, today’s thanksgiving was significant.

Upon finishing, Bishop Wiesemann expressed his joy and confessed that this was the first time he presented a catechesis. The youths expressed their gratitude for his visit with a gift. They were especially grateful for his warmth and closeness to them.

Translation: Carlos Cantu, LaFeria, TX, USA