Internet Edition Issue 7
Otober/November 2005

Editorial

Viewpoint

The "Profile" receives top magazine award

The Pilgrims' Way-World Youth Day

From the Office of Justice, Ecology & Peace

Catholic Education and Accreditation

KCP Magazine

WORLD YOUTH DAY - KOLN, GERMANY 2005..."WE HAVE COME TO WORSHIP HIM"

THE PILGRIMS WAY

The Pilgrims from the Broome and Darwin Dioceses and NATSICC gather at Lourdes

When the forty-four pilgrims from the Kimberley and Northern Territory came together with NATSICC reps from down south and travelled through France to WYD in Köln they journeyed in an ancient Christian tradition. Like generations before them, they moved from one place of sacred significance to another in a prayerful search for a deepened relationship with God. That is the essence of pilgrimage.

Bishop Saunders said that it was a unique experience for the pilgrims and was filled with memories of great experiences. “In Köln they were part of living history as 1.2 million young people came to gather at Marienfeld to participate in the Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI and assisted by 750 Bishops and 7000 priests. But before the wonderful German experience where they participated in Masses, meetings and celebrations the group, visited Carcassonne – where St Dominic preached, and then the town of Lourdes in the South of France where Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette and then on to Paris the city of many saints.

“The Lourdes experience was something that impressed everyone. The candlelight procession, the immersion in the healing waters, the special Masses and the beautiful story of an ordinary girl, Bernadette, who witnessed the appearance of Our Blessed Mother, Mary, have been imprinted on the minds and hearts of all pilgrims, to some degree” he said. “Each pilgrim made a valiant effort to be part of the experience. Sometimes the effort required was extraordinary but in a most generous fashion each pilgrim rose to the occasion”.

"I cannot think of a better group to be with or a more significant experience that we shared so well, so essentially. Like many others, I am looking to 2008 and world youth day in Sydney."

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