Courtney McGrailJuly 27
World Youth Day is best described in terms of colours than anything else. As the thunder rolled over Krakow almost a million pilgrims pulled on their ponchos, turning the city into a living and breathing rainbow of yellows, blues and reds.
The green of Ireland was well represented. Almost 2,000 pilgrims came from parishes, schools and youth groups from Dingle to Donegal.
The opening Mass was presided over by Cardinal Dziwisz, Archbishop of Krakow, and gave the pilgrims a taste of the camaraderie and spirit of World Youth Day. His message to the pilgrims was simple, yet powerful: God is love, He is Mercy and you are an essential part of this Divine dynamic. Love God and live mercy.
Some of the Dublin pilgrims I spoke to described their experiences so far as “powerful”, “moving”, “overwhelming” and “stunning”. They felt a deep connection with other pilgrims even though they may have not met before.
This morning at the first catechesis session of the week, our Irish pilgrims heard from Buffalo’s Bishop Robert Malone, who reminded pilgrims that The Pope is calling on us to make Mercy more meaningful and more evident.
Culture of mercy
We need to be signs and instruments of Mercy, he said, recalling how ancient pagans would remark “See how the Christians love one another”. He concluded that “in order to create a culture of mercy, we need to create a culture of life: the Lord IS Love and Life”.
Christina Malone, a member of the Dublin diocese WYD Organising Team, commented that, “The Church IS alive but it’s a different type of alive. Every generation has to respond to the Spirit in its own way. We need to be creative and courageous.”
As I write, Pope Francis has just landed at John Paul II International Airport. The air of anticipation is palpable among pilgrims and locals alike.
This evening Irish pilgrims are gathering to celebrate evening prayer centred on the theme of “Now is the time of Mercy”: it’s a chance to prepare ourselves to welcome Pope Francis tomorrow.
July 28
Today the Irish pilgrims attended a catechesis session with Archbishop Blase Cupich of Chicago. In his catechesis he encouraged the young people to live mercy through engagement. “Get involved in your local Church, as ministers of the Eucharist, of the word; whatever you do, share your talents; get involved,” he said. His message to the young Irish pilgrims was clear: the Church needs your energy, your talents and your lived expression of God’s Mercy.
The church was packed to capacity and pilgrims spilled out onto the grass outside as they listened attentively to the archbishop’s call to intentional discipleship. After the catechesis he took time to mingle with Irish pilgrims and pose for the odd selfie!
This afternoon at the pilgrim welcome for Pope Francis, the Pope encouraged the young people to use their zeal to change the world and to change the hearts of those who say that nothing can change.
The message of Mercy presented by Pope Francis is a message of encouragement and engagement; a message of life and for life.
The Pope reminded the young people that “mercy always has a youthful face” and so put young people at the heart of the Church’s mission of mercy. He went on to say that “the heart that’s ready to dream has room for Mercy” and encouraged the young people not to “take early retirement” but rather to “find fulfilment, to gain new strength”, saying the way to this “is not a thing or an object, but a person, and he is alive. His name is Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is a gift, from the Father; our Father.”