At 11:00, the pilgrim group made our way back to Barangaroo to await the arrival of the Holy Father. It was amazing!
We arrived about two and a half hours prior to the scheduled arrival of the Pope (who left at the end of the welcome ceremony ten minutes later than scheduled). Most of the pilgrims took the extra time as an opportunity for a bit of a rest.
During his inaugural homily, Benedict XVI said, “The Church is alive. The Church is young.” He was quite right.
Young people from every continent and seemingly from every nation filled the harbor area and the sounds of singing and dancing came from all directions.
Wandering around Barangaroo looking for souvenirs and food, I stumbled upon a group of the Missionaries of Charity. They astounded me with a gift they handed out to priests: a second class relic of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta!
Because we were present so early we found good “seats” right up against the rail but these were quickly lost when the Holy Father arrived. When he did the “aisles” that were mostly barricaded off flooded with pilgrims – many of them not very polite – who wanted a picture with the Pope no matter what.
The happy side of this is that some of our pilgrims managed to be pushed to the very front of the lines and took some truly excellent photographs and were deeply touched. I think they now understand why I love Benedict so much. Though I was greatly disappointed - and even a bit more - but the kids were thrilled to be so close. I have my time right at the rail in Washington; I keep consoling myself with this thought.
It was so good to see His Holiness and to hear his voice again! My heart lifted and my eyes watered at his arrival. Papa had come.
Benedict XVI urged us to “step forward into Christ's loving embrace; recognize the Church as your home. No one need remain on the outside.”
It is this message that I hope falls on fertile soil in the hearts of the youth that have come me. Please continue to pray for them, that they might open themselves ever more to the immense love of God and his divine will for their lives.
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