WYD Testimony at my home parish

Dear friends of St. Mary’s:

My name is Patricia. I’m 24 and I’m a student in UBC. The theme of this year’s World Youth Day Cologne is: “We have come to worship Him” from Matthew 2:2.

Cologne is a city filled with history and many pilgrimage sites. As walking through the city and flipping through program books, I read about the stories of the Three Magi following the star in search of baby Jesus, as well as stories of many patron saints of Germany and World Youth Day. About one year ago, as I was discerning for the journey to Cologne, it was at the point of my life that I really wanted to see Jesus – not only as a divine figure that I prayed with only in church, but also someone that I can see, touch, dialogue with and encounter in human form in everyday life. When I saw the info disseminated from the Youth Ministry, to me it was really like Jesus saying, ‘Patricia, put down all your “fish nests” – for now is the time to go with me in search of faith, to become one of the many worshippers for the journey to Cologne.’ I did not regret saying ‘yes’ despite of the fact that it was an ever physically, spiritually, and emotionally challenging journey – I can never forget God for He has shown me on this pilgrimage many wonderful works of faith and healing to both personal and spiritual growth. I was deeply touched by the message that John Paul II wrote in his letter to the youth: “My dear young people, you too offer to the Lord the gold of your lives, namely, your freedom to follow Him out of love, responding faithfully to His call; let the incense of your fervent prayer rise up to him, in praise of His glory; offer Him your myrrh, that is your affection of total gratitude to Him, true Man, who loved us to the point of dying as a criminal on Golgotha.”

One of the themes during the Days of Encounter is: “Guest is a blessing.” That especially reminds me about the heart-warming hospitality of my host family back in Dorfen! I truly miss them and feel very touched that they took good care of my friend, Helen, and I as if we were part of his family (ie. I developed some ‘nostalgic symptoms’ right after my journey back in Vancouver that I had to eat German pretzels, croissants with cold cuts, and many many other German foods until I felt better…^^) I also feel very lucky to be able to go with them to visit Altotting, which is close to Altotting and is one of the seven places in Europe for Marian Apparition. I saw many pictures, rosaries, and crutches hung on the outside wall as offerings to give thanks to Mother Mary for helping them in many life-and-death situations, as well as bringing hope and great faith to those who are in sickness – such as many of those who offered their crutches and can walk like normal people do! I also took up the strength to carry a wooden cross and walk around the central church – it wasn’t easy at all than I had firstly thought! It was difficult not because of its heavy weight; however, it was because the shame as sinners that I was carrying the cross and perhaps I could only understand just a glimpse of how difficult Jesus was carrying the Cross for us!

It was a blessing that I was able to go to Bavaria where Pope Benedict XVI grew up and then met with him in Cologne in person to celebrate the World Youth Day at Marienfeld. Although I could only see him as a tiny white spot from afar, I was moved by the words that he spoke to us firmly and sharply and the attempt to reach all of the audience through speaking in various languages. As I was holding the candle at the vigil, out of imagination – as the sky was turning into complete darkness, the stars began to sparkle as if they were comforting me from coldness, emptiness, and extreme fatigue, and surprisingly as I was singing Taize chants with the crowds, as if I could see the smiling face of Brother Rogers, as well as John Paul II waving at me and the crowds – at that moment, I said to myself, “Is that what all life means?” God has made me a soul and a body. I can now really say to myself, "If I cannot see through that my body is a just means to achieve the soul of God, life is nothing but the empty body!”

Last but not least, I would now like to take a few moments to say ‘thank you’ to all of you at St. Mary’s to support us, the WYD pilgrims, in fundraising events and prayers. Thank you to my friends – Mildred, Rovika, and Catty – for your love and kindness that we worked together to make this trip into a reality.

Please continue to keep all of the WYD pilgrims in prayers so that they may continue to live out the experience from Cologne in everyday life and share the fire to many youths out there who are waiting for the call to attend World Youth Day in Sidney in 2008!

Thank you and God bless.