Time flies without me noticed. It been more than a year since I went for the first world youth day (WYD) in Madrid. I scanned through my old emails in my maibox and found my Itinerary to WYD last year.
At first I am uncertain about going to WYD, no urge for me to go for it. However, with God grace I managed to pay up the expenses through numerous sponsors. Never ask never know is my motto that time. With you genuine appeal, some will respond to it.
When the logistic preparation part settled, SPIRITUAL PREPARATION is another important part. WYD is a pilgrimage, spiritual journey, thus, I need to prepare myself spiritually through prayer and meditation. I had a combined spiritual preparation as Penang Team.
The day come when I am going to the real "battlefield". I says 'battlefield' because I am ought to face all kinds of adversities both physically and spiritually in a foreign-land. I was housed in a sports-centre in outskirts of Madrid, a serene countryside called Las Rosas. I started my pilgrimage officially in a small church with another congregation form Wales along with their Bishop. I have to rough out in the basketball court in the sports centre. Each of us were given pilgrimage bags which contains a "Magnificat"- our spiritual guide book, which contains Liturgy of Hours and Mass texts for all the days in WYD. I were also given food coupons and general guide books to inform us how and what's going on what time.
They are temptations once I goes to the city of Madrid, SOL is among the famed places along the way to my spiritual destination. I am amazed, wherever I go, I see pilgrims from different continents, culture and language. All are friendly and shared the cramp Metro, shared laughters, language is never the boundary.
I experience the universality of the Apostolic Church for the first time, I attended the Opening Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Madrid fully in Spanish. Amazingly, with the aid of Magnificat & impromptu translation via radio, we can follow through. I take time off for some silent moment to reflect and meditate in front of the blessed sacrament after asian youth gathering separating from my companions that are rushing for Marian Fest. From that silent moment with our Lord, I found true peace and happiness.
For the vigil in Cuantros Vientros a military air-field with Pope Benedict XIV, I was given a pass to sit in the front stretch facing the altar. It was an ultimate physical challenge for all the pilgrims, sit under the scouring hot summer sun and the vigil was greeted with a thunderstorm which eventually stopped the prayer of Pope. The gigantic spotlights on top of me are swaying vigorously, it is really a test of faith to me. We were asked be quiet and pray for 10 minutes, then the thunderstorm just died out. For me, it is a prayer from God's Vicar answered.
I have to sleep in the soaking wet ground, being pushed to the fence of my designated site. All the hardship actually is a blessing in disguise, I have the chance to see Pope so close that I can't imagine in my whole life. It is less than 50 metres away in his Pope Mobile. So close that I can capture a clear picture with my compact camera.
It's been a year after I got the great experience. I am thankful to all the benefactors that materialised this pilgrimage of mine. With that experience I had, I can proclaim in conviction of the Creed that: "I believe in one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church."I know that not all youths can have the chance to go for world youth day or Asian youth day. Many youths might just go for the same mass every week, seeing the same faces over and over again.
The experience that WYD and AYD can be brought to the diocesan level by bringing all the youths together to live, play and most importantly pray together as a universal church. Youthfulness is something money can't by, only come once in a life time. By offering the unique experience to the youths, only will they know that the Church is more than the same mass and crowd that they used to.
I hope that the youths will take this chance that comes 'once in their lifetime' because all are youths once. If there's another Diocesan Youth Day years ahead, they are no longer as youthful as they are now.
I would like to end this sharing by the video that motivates me to go for my WYD.
-Michael Peter Foo 17/9/2012
