Reflections on World Youth Day 2016 - Part 2

Sr. Mary Crowley, Vocations Director for the OLA Irish Province, shares some thoughts on her WYD experiences.

Srs. Sandra Mazzanti (2nd from left) Mary Crowley (3rd from left) pictured with some WYD youth at the Vocations Centre in Krakow.

The World Youth Day (WYD) 2016 has passed. The thousands of international pilgrims and our OLA Sisters, who were privileged to visit Poland, have returned home. I reflect back on this wonderful experience and share some memories.  

WYD offered us hope and joy. At a time when we hear so much about the decline of institutional Christianity all over Europe and seeing the two to three million pilgrims gave us new life and energy and a reason to be hopeful about the future.

Whether it was in the park, trains, buses or walking along the streets, one could feel the joy and energy of these thousands of young people proudly carrying their flame of faith and who had a thirst for spirituality. Pope John Paul II was aware of this when he initiated World Youth Day in 1986. Words seem so inadequate to describe the atmosphere which was buzzing with love, life, energy and excitement.

The Vocations Centre was where different religious congregation and societies presented their different charisms and mission.  The OLA Sisters were privileged to be present at this centre with the help of Fr. Tomic, SMA.  We distributed vocation literature which was printed in five languages - English, French, Italian, Spanish and Polish - and ribbon wrist bands with our OLA name and website.  This gave the young people an opportunity to stop and communicate with us. We had a wonderful time meeting many young people from all over the world and encouraging them to respond to the vocation that God has called them to.

Srs. Roseline (2nd from left) and Mary (4th from left) pictured with youth outside John Paul II Church, near Krakow.

We had an opportunity to attend the Youth Festival in Brzesko. Many bands entertained us with traditional dancing and singing. Their goal is to preserve their cultural heritage, its traditions and folklore. Some musical groups also help to form children and teenagers in the Christian faith through music and dance.  Being present at this festival gave us an opportunity to meet with some youths and distribute vocation literature and wrist bands.

When Pope Francis arrived on stage in Blonia Park many dancers and singers representing the different continents welcomed him including an Argentine tango. It was also an amazing moment to listen to over a million and a half young people singing the WYD Anthem “Blogoslawieni Milosierni” in Blonia Park to welcome Pope Francis. 

Pilgrims at a prayer service, led by Pope Francis, in Blonia Park, Krakow during WYD 2016.

Addressing the thousands of youths, he said he has learnt many things in life but he wanted to share one thing.  “Nothing is more beautiful than seeing the enthusiasm, dedication, zeal and energy with which so many young people live their lives. This is beautiful! And where does this beauty come from? When Jesus touches a young person’s heart, he or she becomes capable of truly great things”. 

He challenged the young people not to “waste their lives looking for thrills or a feeling of being alive by taking dark paths and in the end having to pay for it… and pay dearly.”

The Pope concluded his visit to Krakow by saying “World Youth Day begins today and continues tomorrow, in your homes, since that is where Jesus wants to meet you from now on.”

I take this opportunity to thank all the Sisters in the Province who made our visit to Krakow possible. I would also like to thank the SMA Fathers in Poland and the host families in Fr. Yanunz’s home town for the great welcome and the hospitality afforded to us during our stay.

- Sr. Mary Crowley, OLA

Click here to read Sr. Patience Ezimigbo's account of World Youth Day 2016.

Click here to visit the OLA Vocations Page.

 Members of the Tanzania group present the Bible to Fr. Yanusz, SMA.