Pope Says Mass Before 1 Million at Youth Day

LA Times ^ | August 21, 2005 | Tracy Wilkinson

[Unam Sanctam]

COLOGNE, Germany -- They slept in a dew-soaked field, packed head-to-toe, and awoke Sunday under heavy gray skies to hear Pope Benedict XVI urge his youthful followers to live a life of faith and to work to spread it.

An estimated 1 million pilgrims from every corner of the planet attended Benedict's open-air Mass, culminating a weeklong World Youth Day and the new pontiff's international debut.

Freedom granted by God "is not simply about enjoying life in total autonomy, but rather about living by the measure of truth and goodness, so that we ourselves can become true and good," he told the crowd, offering the central moral prescription of his four-day appearance here. "This gesture is necessary even if initially our yearning for freedom makes us inclined to resist it."

[Michael81Dus]

Oh, and another thing: I´ve seen many Christians from Lebanon and Syria (the orthodox Christians) who showed their flags. We should think of those when we talk about the two countries.

Furthermore - and sad - many Americans I talked to were Democrats. It was me protecting President Bush as good as possible for a German against their insults. On the other hand, I also met a group of JROTC members.

[Bahbah]

It was me protecting President Bush as good as possible for a German against their insults.

Thank you very much, Michael. I am sure you did very well.

[NYer]

Oh, and thanks to FR for improving my English, the best compliment I got was from an Australian pilgrim. She asked after having talked with her for a few minutes "and you´re from the US?"

You could have fooled me!! I thought you were an American.

Aerial View

"Let Us Go Forward With Christ!"
Full Text - Papal Homily at Closing Mass of World Youth Day

[NYer]

Oh, and another thing: I´ve seen many Christians from Lebanon and Syria (the orthodox Christians) who showed their flags. We should think of those when we talk about the two countries.

Many christians have fled from Lebanon to the US, Canada, Australia, Europe and So. America. They are very orthodox in their faith.

Here's a story that may interest you. These Iraqi kids celebrated with you in spirit because they could not leave their country.

20 August, 2005
IRAQ - VATICAN - WYD
Baghdad youth write to the Pope about WYD

Vatican City  (AsiaNews) – More than 1000 Catholic youth of Baghdad and some Orthodox youth gathered yesterday in the Latin cathedral of the city to celebrate WYD “in a spirit of fraternal union” with the Pope and youth in Cologne.

They sent a telegram to Benedict XVI through the Apostolic Nuncio in Iraq, Fernando Filoni, which was made public by the Holy See press office. The text reads as follows:

Message of Baghdad youth for the Holy Father:

Even we, young Christians of Baghdad, after adequate preparation and in a spirit of fraternal union with Your Holiness and thousands of youth in Cologne, wanted to celebrate the ongoing World Youth Day in prayer, reflection and joyous feasting.

We too have come together to know the Lord and to ask ourselves what he wants of us at such a difficult time for our country and for us. The exhortation of Jesus accompanies us: “Courage, do not be afraid”, which Your Holiness put forward recently at the beginning of your pontificate. While we wish to send our affectionate greetings to youth in Cologne, we ask Your Holiness for apostolic blessing, and we accompany in spirit the celebrations in this city.

Youth participants of World Youth Day in Baghdad

[Armando Guerra]

I look at the aerial photograph with the sea of humanity and think "wow, it looks like a Catholic Woodstock." Of course, the lack of sex, drugs and rock 'n roll explains the MSM lack of interest in this huge event. For them, it is a non-event instead of a generational defining moment. Hopefully, the attendees will tell their kids with pride "I was there."

[Michael81Dus]

What a nice idea. If only we could strengthen Christianity in the Mideast. It´s unbearable that tolerance is a one-way-street for many Muslims.

[HostileTerritory]

I already noticed that the US media has almost completely ignored that big event.

It was on the front page of the Boston Globe, a newspaper no one considers a friend to the Catholic Church.

[Michael81Dus]

You´re right. Actually, the article is quite accurate.


Pope ends Germany trip with Mass for 1 million
Benedict urges young to follow, spread faith
By Michael Paulson, Globe Staff | August 22, 2005

COLOGNE, Germany -- Pope Benedict XVI, wrapping up his first foreign trip, celebrated Mass yesterday for an estimated 1 million people on a field in his native Germany, quieting questions about whether the cerebral conservative could rally the young people who in the past had flocked to see the more instinctively charismatic Pope John Paul II.

The vast crowd, including as many as 700,000 who had slept outdoors in a chilly overnight vigil punctuated by candlelight and singing, gave the new pope an enthusiastic welcome even though a combination of security concerns and Benedict's reserved personality meant the altar was removed from much of the crowd and the popemobile traveled along the perimeter, so that the best view for many was on large television screens.

In his homily at the concluding Mass, Benedict stuck largely to theological themes, urging the young people to go to Mass and confession; to be forgiving, sensitive, and sharing; to reach out to the elderly and those who are suffering; and to spread the Catholic faith to others. He also urged them to form communities of faith, giving a nod to the surge in recent years of international lay Catholic religious movements that have energized some segments of the church.

But Benedict also offered a critique of more general societal trends in religion, in which many people pick and choose a combination of rituals and beliefs that please them.

''There is a kind of new explosion of religion," Benedict said. ''I have no wish to discredit all the manifestations of this phenomenon. There may be sincere joy in the discovery. Yet if it is pushed too far, religion becomes almost a consumer product. People choose what they like, and some are even able to make a profit from it."

Benedict, 78, went on to exhort the young people to become ''true worshipers of God."

''Religion constructed on a 'do-it-yourself' basis cannot ultimately help us," he said. ''It may be comfortable, but at times of crisis we are left to ourselves. Help people to discover the true star which points out the way to us: Jesus Christ!"

The Mass marked an end to a four-day visit to Cologne by Benedict, a former theology professor and bishop in Germany who served as the Vatican's controversial defender of doctrine before being elected pope in April upon the death of John Paul II.

In an era when the pope is part of the global celebrity culture, he appeared repeatedly before huge crowds of young people who have been gathered here for World Youth Day, a six-day carnival of religious observance as well as socializing among young Catholics from around the world. Benedict showed a previously unseen willingness to work crowds, shaking hands, waving, smiling broadly, and kissing children with the zeal of a politician


''I think he did awesome, and it was such a hard thing for him to do; he was definitely shocked to see how many people showed up to see him," said Katie Carlson, 17, of Weymouth. Carlson, who said she felt ''a bond" with people from around the world by participating in the overnight vigil and the papal Mass, said she will go back to Boston today with an ''enthusiasm to share with family and friends."

Alerts Some of the young people, whose only recollection of John Paul II was from a time when Parkinson's disease had prevented him from walking, slurred his speech, and reduced his energy, were impressed by the comparative vigor of the new pope.

''This was my third World Youth Day, but this time the prayer service was especially moving because I felt I was able to participate in praying with the pope," said Caitlin McManus, 23, a nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital who traveled with members of her home parish from Marshfield. She said she was struck by his ''gentle voice" and the clarity of his words.

Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley of Boston, who joined about 400 pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Boston here, said the enthusiasm for the pope reflects the Catholic belief that the papacy is a continuation of Jesus's ministry.

''Certainly, John Paul II had many gifts in his personality and his experience and a special love for young people, but even without that, for Catholics the person of the pope is important because he is a religious symbol for us," O'Malley said in an interview.

He said World Youth Day gatherings have proved successful at reinforcing faith for young Catholics who feel isolated at home.

''Young people are very much influenced by their peers, and a lot of . . . their friends say: 'Why do you go to church? That's not a cool thing to do,' " O'Malley said. ''To realize that they're not alone, that there are millions of other people in the world who are trying to follow Christ and to live a Catholic life, it's very reassuring for young people. That's the genius of these World Youth Days."

Benedict, who demonstrated a facility for languages similar to that of John Paul II, repeatedly spoke in German, English, French, Italian, and Spanish, and at the close of yesterday's Mass he also bade farewell to the crowd with a sentence or two in Polish, Portuguese, Tagalog, and Swahili.

And despite the pope's reputed preference for Mass in Latin and Gregorian chant as well as his previously expressed concerns about rock music and Harry Potter, the worship services at which Benedict presided included a variety of musical styles and even, at the Saturday night vigil, an Indian dance choir and an Argentine juggler. The music at the Mass was more traditional, but included a variety of global instruments, including South American quenas, zamponas, and charangos; an Indian sitar; African drums; and an Australian didgeridoo.

But Benedict also proved himself to be a tough talker. In meetings with Christians and Jews, he warned against papering over real differences between the faiths, and with Muslims he talked of terrorism. And yesterday, before heading back to Rome, he expressed a variety of concerns about the health of the church in Germany at a meeting with German bishops.

''Secularism and de-Christianization continue to advance," Benedict said. ''The influence of Catholic ethics and morals is in constant decline. Many people abandon the Church or, if they remain, they accept only a part of Catholic teaching. The religious situation in the east [the former East Germany] is particularly worrying, since the majority of the population is unbaptized and has no contact with the church."

Benedict, who has previously expressed serious concerns about the weak state of Christianity in much of Europe, noted that despite Germany's wealth, it has high unemployment and many social problems.

''Many of the ideas put forward by modern society have led nowhere, and many young people have ended up mired in alcohol and drugs or in the clutches of extremist groups," he said. He also warned that the shortage of priests in Germany ''is reaching dramatic proportions."

''Once again young people are providing us, their pastors, with a salutary stimulus, for they are asking us to be consistent, united, and courageous," he said. ''We, for our part, must train them in patience, in discernment, in healthy realism. Yet there can be no false compromise, no watering down of the Gospel."

As he left to return to Rome last night, Benedict said he hopes the event was positive, not only for Catholicism, but for Germany.

''We are all well aware of the evil that emerged from our homeland during the 20th century, and we acknowledge it with shame and suffering," he said at an airport ceremony. ''During these days, thanks be to God, it has become quite evident that there was and is another Germany, a land of singular human, cultural, and spiritual resources."

Michael Paulson can be reached at mpaulson@globe.com.

[Pyro7480]

It was on the front page, above the fold, of the Washington Times today too.

[ninenot]

Latest from my little traveler:

Hey everyone,

Im coming home in like less then two days. Sorry I couldnt go on the computer sooner. The trip to the field kind of interfered. So let me tell you all about it.

We went to the field and it was a little crammed. We had to walk for about 4 hours which I guess was a good enough work out for lazy old me. But by the time we got there we found a tiny spot and ate. We all played some cards and walked around for a little.

Then the Pope came and there was the vigil thing. Only I couldnt concentrate too much. It was a little hard. But yes M, there are mice in that field and there were two right next to us. I didnt really care but S was freaking out. It was kinda gross though when the guys stepped on them and they died right there by the side of the road. It was funny when the Spanish lady sitting next to us had one crawling up her leg. She was jumping up and down.

So at night it was really freezing. I should have brought that sleeping bag because they didnt provide us with any. I had layers of clothes on and the poncho but I was still cold. So by three in the morning Dr P asked us all if we wanted to just go back and at first I was all for it but then when I found out we weren't going to be at the closing Mass I stayed.

It was me and R with a few others. O, S, and L went back, those wimps! So the next day the Mass was great but we had to walk the same distance back because the train stations were closed. Oh man was I ever tired.

Anyways so get this, the next day we all leave Cologne to go to Frankfurt to get on our plane but we miss our flight COMPLETELY and right now I'm staying the night here in Frankfurt. Not too bad I guess. Im still staying one night in Spain so its a good deal.

The problem is, now that you all put[additional]Euros on my card I won't be able to use too much of it.

My shopping time is limited. I dont have to pay for the hotel in Spain. But I had to pay for the one in Cologne and because they didnt take American Express Dr P paid it.

Don' worry though responsible me remembered that I have to take all the money off my card before I go so I will give him the money for the hotel.

I will try to get as much shopping as I possibly can get done tomorrow but Dr P wants us all to go to the beach before we have to leave. You cant blame him, who wouldn't want to goimming in the Mediterranean Sea.

I'llfind to the time to do it all. The stores in Europe close really early so Ill go shopping first and the relax at the beach. So I think thats it.

Oh yah Mom - I love you and I really must say that the typing on the email was amusing. I wish I could have seen dad crying. You see, we should have a video recorder for those types of things!!!

Well I should be going.

And L, LOOKS LIKE YOU AND ME ARE GOING TO SYDNEY AUSTRALIA IN 2008 BECAUSE THATS WHERE THE NEXT ONE IS!!!!

Start saving now though, no really you should.

LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!

CANT WAIT TO SEE YOU!!!

I MISS YOU!!!!

[big'ol_freeper]

Excellent thread

[NYer]

I look at the aerial photograph with the sea of humanity and think "wow, it looks like a Catholic Woodstock."

Yes ... others have drawn that comparison as well. Actually, it was more like the Sermon on the Mount. An artificial hill was constructed by the organizers, using dirt shipped in from all the countries from which youth were participating.

The pope's words to these youth are worth reading over and over again. If you have not yet done so, take a moment, click on the link in post #23 and read the pope's homily. Awesome!

[NYer]

Thank you for posting your daughter's comments!

Oh man was I ever tired.

Personal sacrifice is commensurate with a pilgrimage :-). She'll arrive home slimmer and trimmer, exhausted though exhilarated and over the next few months, you will begin to see your daughter blossom from this experience. It will be subtle at first but like a rosebud, the petals will slowly open. No doubt Mom will have her favorite meal waiting on the table when she returns.

God bless you all!

[Frank Sheed]

File under great ideas thread from the Amy Wellborn blog:

First, on language. Wouldn't it be a great idea if, in the three years before Sydney, the call went out to teach young people everywhere the Pater Noster, Ave Maria and Sign of the Cross in Latin? We could avoid all of the "Ohmygawdprevaticantwo" tremors by saying how AWESOME it would be for hundreds of thousands of young people to be able to actually pray together in one language in 2008 - what a powerful symbol and experience it would be. If we could just tease such a modest goal out from other agendas and fears, it could be a great moment.

Prayers of the Rosary in Latin!

Frank

[Trajan88]

Wow... cool photo.

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

Wow!

[victim soul]

Thanks for the post and VIVA BENEDETTO!!

[Antoninus]

Oh, and thanks to FR for improving my English, the best compliment I got was from an Australian pilgrim. She asked after having talked with her for a few minutes "and you´re from the US?"

Oh, that's brilliant!

Thanks for being our correspondent from Germany, Michael. We watched the final mass from here in New Jersey on TV (EWTN, of course--none of the networks would touch it, except to lament the fact that the pro-condom "catholic" groups were excluded) and it looked like a magnificent event.

It truly was a wonderful thing to see all those young people attend an event like this--conventional wisdom tells us that Europe is a spiritual waste-land. WYD in Köln demonstrated that there is hope yet.

[Michael81Dus]

Yep, there´s HOPE. Actually, there´s always hope - when we think of the start of our religion, in hidden places, fearing to be discovered by the Romans, we´re much better off now. :-)

250 million people watched the mass on TV, not as many like when the New Years Concert in Vienna is broadcasted, but still a good number.

I doubt that Sydney can reach out to one million pilgrims, but it´s just fair to change the continents on a regular basis.

Oh, and one thing I learned: the blessings from the Pope is not only given to the pilgrims who actually are near him, but also to those who watch him live on TV!

[Nauta]

Those pro-condom "Catholic" groups had apparently put up an ad that said "Real Catholics use condoms."
The ad was torn down, and written in its place was "Abstinence works" and "Trust the Pope."
Ah, the wonders of Catholic graffiti. I just wish I had taken a picture.