DREADPILGRIMS: World Youth Day 2008, Pilgrim Report Update, Barangaroo, Kevin Rudd, Pope Benedict XVI - Live From Sydney
:: Pilgrim Report - Sydney Alive ::
Right in the middle of the World Youth Day 2008 excitement in Sydney, Australia - DREADPILGRIM Greg writes:
Hello again, DREADNOUGHT!
...I just wanted to fill you in on my reactions/reflections from the last two days. Yesterday (Tuesday) was a day packed full of God's providential workings for myself and my fellow pilgrims. We began the day making our pilgrimage to St. Mary's Cathedral.
The building itself was beautiful to behold, but its contents were surprisingly more so. After entering the Church and genuflecting before the Source of Beauty Himself, we were able to see and venerate a relic of Australia's own Blessed Mary MacKillop. But perhaps more moving to myself, and more of interest to the DREADNOUGHTERS was the exhibition on the life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. There were a set of banners set around the sanctuary depicting the youthful Italian in images and in his own words. I had heard his story before, but this was different. It was alive, it was dynamic, and it was genuinely inspiring this time. I felt so much more like he was there, encouraging me--ya know?
I didn't know how right that intuition would turn out being!
As I turned the corner, I saw images of John Paul the Great with Frassati's. Then, my eye was drawn to a stunning, large Icon of the Risen Christ. As I approached it, my eye passed over a long, wooden box, just below the Icon... "To keep the icon up," I thought to myself. But no! As I glanced at the box again, I read the small, black sign below it--"The body of Pier Giorgio Frassati"-- and was profoundly moved. He's here with us, at this World Youth Day, even in death! Even lying there, asleep in the Lord, he encouraged all who glanced at his coffin with the words inscribed upon it: "to the highest."
Also, I don't know if you've seen it yet, but there's an amazing bronze statue of JPII outside St. Mary's Cathedral. He's triumphantly walking forward in his liturgical vestments. His miter is surrounded by a crown of thorns and he's holding a palm branch in his hand. On his pallium were a few Hebrew letters... but I'm not sure what they said...
En route to a Taize service at St. James Cathedral, we overshot King Street by a good few blocks. We turned around to correct our route and--shockingly--ran into the Archbishop of Toronto, Thomas Collins...of course I capitalized on the situation by snapping a quick group shot. Awesome.
Marching into the Barangaroo complex for Mass was was quite the experience, and was very similar to our experience walking on Brisbane--but on a much larger, much more enthusiastic scale. Papua New Guineans and Zambians were singing their national anthems in perfect harmonies; Spanish and French groups with strumming guitars loudly sang "Resucito! Resucito! Resucito! Aleluya!" to the beat of tambourines; A Canada beach ball was bounced around the massive crowds, bringing smiles to the faces of the people who hit it once more into the air, regardless of their own nationality.
In short, the Joy was palpable as we all, quite literally, approached the Altar of Our Lord. Before Mass, we were greeted by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who assured us that we and our Catholic heritage were very welcome in Australia. We were also treated with some magnificent Aboriginal song and dance!
While, I must admit, some of the music in the Mass was evocative of theme songs or jingles, it was beautifully celebrated. Cardinal Pell's homily was magnificent and inspiring...I think that it was very wise of him to remind us that, even though World Youth Day was just beginning, it would soon be over. It added a sense of urgency and of genuine thankfulness: Urgency, in the sense that we ought to concretely commit to following Christ so as to truly flourish and bear fruit--and to do it now, today, in order to bring that "seed" back home. Thankfulness in the sense that all of us, in the days passed and in the days to come, have been and will be given many, many gifts--and to take advantage of them while we can.
(Wednesday) We began with Catechesis which was obviously geared toward a slightly younger audience (with its praise and worship music and cutesy skits) but was nevertheless spiritually enriching in both the Catechesis proper and the homily (both delivered by Cardinal McCarrick emeritus of Washington).
We also attended a forum this evening entitled: Current philosophical trends challenging an absolute truth: investigating faith and reason. This was an amazing lecture series which focused on the dangers of Positivism and Reductionism, the reclamation of the power of reason to recognize and know absolute Truths of the human person (Finnis, George), and the nature of true human Freedom in light of that Truth. Respectively, the three lectures were given by Kirstie McAllum, Katrina George and Patricia Grant. All of them were very well written and delivered.
I have to also say that I have been absolutely shocked by the mind-blowing generosity of the people of Sydney. Without fail, all I have to do is stop on the street and pull out my map and within SECONDS a Sydneysider--old or young, male or female--will approach me from any side and ask if they can help me get to where I'd like to go. The joy which the event has brought to the city is very obviously infectious: if the Sydneysiders don't start keeping to themselves, it looks like we might have an epidemic on our hands.
Today, the Pope got to meet some Koalas and Wallabies, but tomorrow he'll get to meet his pilgrims at Barangaroo! I'll let you know how all of that goes tomorrow or the day following...
I'll continue to keep you and the DREADNOUGHTERS in my thoughts and prayers throughout the pilgrimage. The prayers are much appreciated!
Veni, Sancte Spiritus!
Pax,
- DREADPILGRIM Greg
:: The Upshot ::
In the coming days, DREADNOUGHT will continue to feature on-the-ground reports from DREADNOUGHTERS who are also World Youth Day 2008 pilgrims. I will also likely annotate the major speeches of Pope Benedict XVI, specifically as they relate to Catholic teaching on human sexuality and / or same sex attraction.*
:: Resources ::
- Sydney 2008 Home Page;
- USCCB Virtual Pilgrimage;
- DREADNOUGHT on the New York Times "Pope Benedict XVI" topic page;
- DREADNOUGHT speaks to Spanish Pilgrims (in Castellano and English);
- DREADNOUGHT on what to expect from the Holy Father during this visit;
- DREADNOUGHT on the homoactivist behind a priest's complaints about World Youth Day 2008;
- DREADNOUGHT in Sydney's largest newspaper: Benedict XVI is "the Pope the world needs";
- DREADNOUGHT answers questions on "gay" priests and "homogenital acts" for World Youth Day 2008 pilgrims;
- DREADNOUGHT on Triple J national radio on "gay" priests, Catholic teaching, and young, same sex attracted men;
- DREADNOUGHT's media availability, World Youth Day 2008;
and- Pope Benedict XVI, Message For World Youth Day 2008.
* (DREADNOUGHT featured a similar service during the Papal visit to the United States in April).
Right in the middle of the World Youth Day 2008 excitement in Sydney, Australia - DREADPILGRIM Greg writes:
Hello again, DREADNOUGHT!
...I just wanted to fill you in on my reactions/reflections from the last two days. Yesterday (Tuesday) was a day packed full of God's providential workings for myself and my fellow pilgrims. We began the day making our pilgrimage to St. Mary's Cathedral.
The building itself was beautiful to behold, but its contents were surprisingly more so. After entering the Church and genuflecting before the Source of Beauty Himself, we were able to see and venerate a relic of Australia's own Blessed Mary MacKillop. But perhaps more moving to myself, and more of interest to the DREADNOUGHTERS was the exhibition on the life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. There were a set of banners set around the sanctuary depicting the youthful Italian in images and in his own words. I had heard his story before, but this was different. It was alive, it was dynamic, and it was genuinely inspiring this time. I felt so much more like he was there, encouraging me--ya know?
I didn't know how right that intuition would turn out being!
As I turned the corner, I saw images of John Paul the Great with Frassati's. Then, my eye was drawn to a stunning, large Icon of the Risen Christ. As I approached it, my eye passed over a long, wooden box, just below the Icon... "To keep the icon up," I thought to myself. But no! As I glanced at the box again, I read the small, black sign below it--"The body of Pier Giorgio Frassati"-- and was profoundly moved. He's here with us, at this World Youth Day, even in death! Even lying there, asleep in the Lord, he encouraged all who glanced at his coffin with the words inscribed upon it: "to the highest."
Also, I don't know if you've seen it yet, but there's an amazing bronze statue of JPII outside St. Mary's Cathedral. He's triumphantly walking forward in his liturgical vestments. His miter is surrounded by a crown of thorns and he's holding a palm branch in his hand. On his pallium were a few Hebrew letters... but I'm not sure what they said...
En route to a Taize service at St. James Cathedral, we overshot King Street by a good few blocks. We turned around to correct our route and--shockingly--ran into the Archbishop of Toronto, Thomas Collins...of course I capitalized on the situation by snapping a quick group shot. Awesome.
Marching into the Barangaroo complex for Mass was was quite the experience, and was very similar to our experience walking on Brisbane--but on a much larger, much more enthusiastic scale. Papua New Guineans and Zambians were singing their national anthems in perfect harmonies; Spanish and French groups with strumming guitars loudly sang "Resucito! Resucito! Resucito! Aleluya!" to the beat of tambourines; A Canada beach ball was bounced around the massive crowds, bringing smiles to the faces of the people who hit it once more into the air, regardless of their own nationality.
In short, the Joy was palpable as we all, quite literally, approached the Altar of Our Lord. Before Mass, we were greeted by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who assured us that we and our Catholic heritage were very welcome in Australia. We were also treated with some magnificent Aboriginal song and dance!
While, I must admit, some of the music in the Mass was evocative of theme songs or jingles, it was beautifully celebrated. Cardinal Pell's homily was magnificent and inspiring...I think that it was very wise of him to remind us that, even though World Youth Day was just beginning, it would soon be over. It added a sense of urgency and of genuine thankfulness: Urgency, in the sense that we ought to concretely commit to following Christ so as to truly flourish and bear fruit--and to do it now, today, in order to bring that "seed" back home. Thankfulness in the sense that all of us, in the days passed and in the days to come, have been and will be given many, many gifts--and to take advantage of them while we can.
(Wednesday) We began with Catechesis which was obviously geared toward a slightly younger audience (with its praise and worship music and cutesy skits) but was nevertheless spiritually enriching in both the Catechesis proper and the homily (both delivered by Cardinal McCarrick emeritus of Washington).
We also attended a forum this evening entitled: Current philosophical trends challenging an absolute truth: investigating faith and reason. This was an amazing lecture series which focused on the dangers of Positivism and Reductionism, the reclamation of the power of reason to recognize and know absolute Truths of the human person (Finnis, George), and the nature of true human Freedom in light of that Truth. Respectively, the three lectures were given by Kirstie McAllum, Katrina George and Patricia Grant. All of them were very well written and delivered.
I have to also say that I have been absolutely shocked by the mind-blowing generosity of the people of Sydney. Without fail, all I have to do is stop on the street and pull out my map and within SECONDS a Sydneysider--old or young, male or female--will approach me from any side and ask if they can help me get to where I'd like to go. The joy which the event has brought to the city is very obviously infectious: if the Sydneysiders don't start keeping to themselves, it looks like we might have an epidemic on our hands.
Today, the Pope got to meet some Koalas and Wallabies, but tomorrow he'll get to meet his pilgrims at Barangaroo! I'll let you know how all of that goes tomorrow or the day following...
I'll continue to keep you and the DREADNOUGHTERS in my thoughts and prayers throughout the pilgrimage. The prayers are much appreciated!
Veni, Sancte Spiritus!
Pax,
- DREADPILGRIM Greg
:: The Upshot ::
In the coming days, DREADNOUGHT will continue to feature on-the-ground reports from DREADNOUGHTERS who are also World Youth Day 2008 pilgrims. I will also likely annotate the major speeches of Pope Benedict XVI, specifically as they relate to Catholic teaching on human sexuality and / or same sex attraction.*
:: Resources ::
- Sydney 2008 Home Page;
- USCCB Virtual Pilgrimage;
- DREADNOUGHT on the New York Times "Pope Benedict XVI" topic page;
- DREADNOUGHT speaks to Spanish Pilgrims (in Castellano and English);
- DREADNOUGHT on what to expect from the Holy Father during this visit;
- DREADNOUGHT on the homoactivist behind a priest's complaints about World Youth Day 2008;
- DREADNOUGHT in Sydney's largest newspaper: Benedict XVI is "the Pope the world needs";
- DREADNOUGHT answers questions on "gay" priests and "homogenital acts" for World Youth Day 2008 pilgrims;
- DREADNOUGHT on Triple J national radio on "gay" priests, Catholic teaching, and young, same sex attracted men;
- DREADNOUGHT's media availability, World Youth Day 2008;
and- Pope Benedict XVI, Message For World Youth Day 2008.
* (DREADNOUGHT featured a similar service during the Papal visit to the United States in April).
by DREADNOUGHT at 10:31:00 PM
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