Monday, 16 March 2009

• I Met Every Country in One Week at World Youth Day

  

  World Youth Day is a Catholic festival that is held internationally every two to three years changing locations each time. The next WYD will be held in Madrid, Spain in 2011.

  I, along with 50 other people, made the trip to Toronto in the summer of 2002 and the experience has had a huge impact on my life, opening my eyes to a world outside my own.
  
  Our religion brought all of us together but it was more than prayer and spirituality that we were able to bond over. On my first day there, we were preparing to board the bus that would take us to the opening ceremony. On the bus waiting was a group of about 20-30 Brazilians who were singing their national song. They immediately invited us to join in and attempted to teach us the words, which we of course butchered. Portuguese is not an easy language to pick up! They were a rowdy bunch and they really got us pumped up. They even started dancing in the aisle! Right away, these amazing Brazilians set the tone for the rest of our trip and to my surprise dancing and singing was a common occurrence. 
  
  As you walked through the main gathering area, you could hear songs from every language you can think of. I ran into a large group doing what I can best describe as a European line dance as I never got what country the teacher was from. You see, there was a person in front showing everyone the dance and strangers who were curious would join in or watch. I joined in as someone in the back of the group was kind enough to help me out.
  
  We arrived at the stage and I was amazed at the huge group that had gathered, who were awaiting the arrival of Pope John Paul II. All over you could spot the flags of almost every country you can think of. People were chanting their countries, "Japan! Japan! Japan!", "Chile! Chile! Chile!" We of course joined in the chorus of "USA!". When Pope John Paul II arrived, everyone began chanting "JPII, we love you! JPII, we love you!" I got chills as I realized that I was surrounded by the world and we are all united.
  
  Although WYD is a Catholic event, other faiths are welcome to attend and I would highly recommend to anyone to make the trip out to Spain in 2011.
  
  Would you be interested in attending the next World Youth Day? What other festivals have you gone to?
  
  
  
  
  

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