A group of 15 youth and two animators - Sr. Anitha Eddula and Fr. Jose from Hong Kong together with 15 youth and their animator Fr. Bobin from Taiwan participated in the World Youth Day in Claretian Family in Lodz, Poland from 21 July to 25 July 2016 before joining the rest of the world to celebrate the WYD 2016 with Pope Francis in Krakow.
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| The participants from Hong Kong for the WYD+CF |
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The group from Hong Kong in front of the Basilica in Wadowice,
the birth place of Pope St. John Paul II |
Wadowice - Thank you JP II !
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| Fr. Bobin in front of the JP II Museum in Wadowice |
Wadowice is a small town, where St. Pope John Paul II was born and raised. The place has been turned into a museum exhibiting The Wojtylas family’s former possessions such as an oven, a shelf, a table, table-ware, a laundry basket, family pictures as well as personal belongings of Father Karol Wojtyla – skis, a rucksack, a cap, a prayer book, etc.
The church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary where the future John Paul II grew up is situated next to the Museum. He was baptised and later served as an altar boy and prayed daily here before its miraculous picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
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| Holy Mass in the Basilica in Wadowice |
Coming to Wadowice was itself a moment of thanksgiving for me. In 2013, when I learned the next WYD would be held in Krakow, I had small prayer before the relic of John Paul II placed in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Hong Kong. I Prayed to him asking him to take me to his place in Krakow! And yes, he did. I couldn't ask for anything better as I had a chance to celebrate the Eucharist in the Chapel! Thank you JP II!
Auschwitz II-Birkenau
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| Passing trough those dreaded gates of Birkenau... |
In Auschwitz II-Birkenau, the extermination camp, up to three million people were murdered by the Nazis (2.5 million gassed, and 500,000 from disease and starvation). We visted Auschwitz on 19 July. 10 days later, it had the world's most celebrated pilgrim, praying in silence for the victims. Pope Francis on July 29 walked in silence through Auschwitz II-Birkenau. The Holy Father stopped for a silent prayer at the International Monument to the Camp Victims and lit a candle before one of the memorial tablets commemorating the victims from various nation.
There were no speeches, only Poland's Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich sang the penitential Psalm 130 in Hebrew: “From the depths I have cried out to you, O Lord.” Pope Francis lit a candle at the monument and stood silently praying. The local media reported that "the silence of the Pope was the most elequent homily he preached".
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Sr. Bogusia Woźniak, a Polish Claretian Missionary Sister took care of the group from Taiwan and Hong Kong for five days in Warsaw and Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, before the days of Claretian Family gathering in Lodz
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St. Florian's Cathedral
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St. Florian's Cathedral, more formally known as the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Florian the Martyr is a historic landmark in eastern Warsaw. The 75-meter towers of St. Florian’s Cathedral dominate eastern Warsaw's Praga district and highlight the cathedral’s role as a form of protest against the erstwhile Russian domination of Poland.
Kalwaria Zebrzydowska
Pope John Paul II made several visits to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska on the pilgrimages he made to his homeland Poland. It was at the monastery of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska that Pope John Paul II repeated the words of his motto: "Totus tuus ego sum, et omnia mea tua sunt. Accipio te in mea omnia. Praebe mihi cor tuum, Maria." ("I belong entirely to you, and all that I have is yours. I take you for my all. O Mary, give me your heart")....
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In Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, learning to smile in moments of pain... One of the youth from Hong Kong sprained her leg while in Warsaw and had to remain on wheel-chair for the rest of her days in Poland, till the end of WYD
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Injury Time
On the third day of our Pilgrimage, we were leaving Warsaw for Kalwaria Zebrzydowska in the morning. A little girl from our group by name Emily Yuen sprained her leg while climbing down the steps with her luggage. Dr. Emily had a chance to apply her medical skills and indeed she took care of Emily. But she was in severe pain by the time we arrived in the monastery. Hence she was taken to the hosepital where she had her legs on plaster. From that day on our boys and girls took turns in taking care of Emily.
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| Emily on wheelchair with her sister Dorothy in Wadowice |
Some suggestions came up to me from some corners to send her back to Hong Kong as she would not be able to walk for the rest of her programme. But I decided not to -for this was her ambition to be part of the WYD and we would do everything possible to get her through this. And I knew the Lord appreciated this much! I consider this as a miracle in this foreign land:
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| A special blessing from Bishop Jospeh Ha |
We needed a wheel chair to move her around. We searched for one in the Monastery and we found one! We could use it for two days until we left Kalwaria. When we moved to the Claretian Parish in Lodz, to my great relief, the priests helped us to arrange another wheelchair, which we used for two days. Then came the surprise. The host-family where Emily was staying offered a wheelchair which could be taken all the way to Krakow! We could leave the wheelchair in the parish of our accommodation in Krakow and the host family agreed to collect it from there after the WYD. Indeed, this generous act of the Host Family in Lodz was a great sign of mercy, which cannot be thanked enough!
Once in Krakow, our Host Families in the parish of Rząska were equally generous in giving us the best of everything. They offered to drive us to the city and back so that we could be spared from getting into the crowded buses with the wheel chair. I am afraid, all their generosity were taken for granted and we fail to show our gratitude for what they have been to us during those five days.
EAD Delegation get-together
We arrived in Lodz by mid noon. Fr. Bobin, the Youth Coordinator
for the East Asia had arranged for a luncheon gathering for all the youth and
animators from East Asia (EAD). We expected the delegations from Japan and
China to join us for the lunch, but only the Japanese delegation could make it.
Some moments of fun were slowly unfolding. Fr. Ken, the Japanese
coordinator informed us that the afternoon was meant to be with the Host Family
and hence there is no time available for any EAD get-together in the Claretian
parish. Later we realized that it was Ken’s version of the schedule as he was
accommodated in a Japanese family and they were so happy to have a Japanese
priest staying in their house! Thus the Hong Kong and Taiwan team moved to the
Claretian Parish for registration. The Polish Youth of the parish were on their
toes, welcoming us with pleasantries exchanged in English.
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A 51 member strong delegation from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan participated in the Claretian Youth Family Gathering in Lodz. The Participants are seen with Fr. Arthur (General Prefect of Apostolate of the Claretian Missionaries) and Bro. Carlos (General Prefect of Youth and Vocation Ministry)
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The most expensive coffee!
Two priests in black sontana
came out from the presbytery. Sr. Bogusia, the Polsih Claretian nun who
accompanied us for the past four days in Poland introduced Bobin, Sr, Anitha and me to the
priests of the parish – Fr. Peter and Fr. Marcin. They immediately took hold of
our luggage and invited us to the first floor of the House for a cup of coffee. It was heartening that Fr. Provincial Superior was fixing coffee for us. They did everything possible to make us feel at home! After serving coffee, Fr. Marcin said, “You may pay your money here”. He had
his tablet with details of all the groups and the amount each group had to pay
for registration. After the coffee, we were led down
the stairs. Bobin and I had a good laugh, for we thought this was the “most
expensive coffee” we ever had!
We are so indebted to the priests - Fr. Marcin and his team and the youth of the Parish for the arrangements, hard work and accompaniment they offered to over 300 participants from different parts of the world.
“Selection for the shower”
Meeting strange people with unknown language and culture put us on
the defensive and it took some time to get rid of our initial apprehensions.
Although were told that all the participants will be accommodated in host
families, we were not sure of where and how and what of our accommodations. We,
going from a first-world city, were wielding our gadgets trying to play smart
by using language translator apps! But the Polish youth stayed focused. They
started calling people two or three each every time. Those called, were taken
into the presbytery and they never returned! We were not sure what was going
on. Some one from our group remembered and spoke aloud of the process of so
called “selection for shower” in the Auschwitz-Birkenau German Nazi
concentration and extermination camp! We had visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau on
the previous day and hence the memory was fresh!
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| Bro. Carlos (General Prefect of Youth and Vocation Ministry), Fr. Bobin (Coordinator for Youth and Vocation Ministry, East Asia Delegation) , Fr. Arthur (General Prefect of Apostolate of the Claretian Missionaries) and Fr. Jose |
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| A member of the Filiacion Cordimariana exchanging gifts with Fr. Jose |
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| Claretian Family Gathering in Lodz |
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| Claretian Family Gathering in Lodz |
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| Bro. Carlos joins the Hong Kong group for the lucnh |
Our groups of 17 from Hong Kong and 16 from Taiwan were split into
different host families. This didn’t mean that our new families were waiting
for us as we reached the Claretian Parish. After long time of waiting for “the
selection”, the selected were briefed of the programme and the ID card and
programme kit were distributed and were taken to a garden on the opposite side
of the Church for another period of waiting, this time for the host families to
come and pick us up.
Our Host Families
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| With our Host Family in Lodz: Maryla, Jose, Amelia, Andrzej, Stephen and Perry |
Finally, the wait was over when a teenage girl Amelia together
with her Mom Maryla came up looking for three of us. As we had heavy luggage
and her car couldn’t accommodate all of us in the car, she drove our luggage to
her home first and returned to pick us up.
Amelia spoke perfect English and we had a sigh of relief! She took
us to their second floor and showed a beautiful study and bed room and said, “This
is my room; for next five days, this is your home. Use it the way you want to
use!” Ah! that was so sweet of her! Her dad, Andrzej had developed a sudden
back pain that day and had to see a doctor. So Dad was not at home when
arrived.
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| Our Host Family in Rzaska, Krakow: Jose, Perry, Ola, Stephen, Przemyslaw and Eva |
Can you imagine inviting three foreign men and their luggage into
your home for over a week? And Amelia gave us two options to choose from:
Dinner was ready and we could have it any time we wanted. Either eat
immediately and see what time her dad would return; or wait for her dad and
have dinner with him. We chose the second and decided to wait for her dad to
come back from the doctor. Although it was some time after 8 in the evening,
the sun was so bright.
Starting with a hot traditional Polish meal and wine that first
evening, the whole family helped us in so many ways but especially with their
presence and conversation. They really showcased the power of a family working
together and our stay with them gave us some of the best memories I have of the
pilgrimage. We couldn’t thank them enough for the accompaniment they gave
during our stay with them.
For the next one week, Dad drove us to the parish
every morning and took us back home from wherever we were in the city or in the
parish. Mom washed and ironed our clothes, prepared delicious breakfast and
dinner for us. It was all done in the midst of their daily busy schedules – Mom
Maryla was a doctor who specialized in eye care and Dad Andrzej was Pharmacist,
who owned a Pharmacy in the city. Amelia was a student, but during the summer
vacation, she was helping her dad in the pharmacy. I look forward to staying in
touch and hopefully returning the hospitality in some way.
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| Sendig off mass in the Atlas Arena, in the Diocese of Lodz |
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| Sendig off mass in the Atlas Arena, in the Diocese of Lodz |
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| Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-sing, Auxialiary Bishop of Hong Kong was responsible for the Catechesis for Cantonese Speaking participants, who were accommodated in Parafia Świętego Antoniego z Padwy (Rząska) |
Sanctuaries of St. John Paul II
and Divine Mercy
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| Established by current Archbishop of Kraków (and close advisor to JPII) Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz to commemorate the legacy of every Pole’s favourite Pope, the John Paul II centre is Located in Łagiewniki, within convenient walking distance of the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy, the ambitious ‘Have No Fear!’ John Paul II Centre (the official name of which refers to his famous words during his inauguration speech) is essentially a small ‘city within the city’ |
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| The Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Lagiewniki: In 1985, Pope John Paul II called Lagiewniki the "capital of the Divine Mercy devotion". Since the beatification of Saint Faustina in 1993, her remains rest on the altar, below the image of Divine Mercy. |
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| Confessionals in Krakow, close to the Blonia park |
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| In Blonia Park, waiting for the "Way of the Cross with Pope Francis" |
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| During the Vigil Service with Pope Francis in the Campus Misericordiae |
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| In the Campus Misericordia, before the Closing Mass. |
Addressing a vast sea of young women and men gathered in Campus Misericordiae, a field set up for the closing mass of the WYD some nine miles outside the city of Krakow. Pope Francis said, 'not to be deterred by those who want to present the image of an insensitive God, and to believe in the power of God’s mercy'.
“People will try to block you, to make you think that God is distant, rigid and insensitive, good to the good, and bad to the bad. Instead, our Heavenly Father ‘makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good,’” said Pope Francis.
He was addressing some two million women and men, most of whom had spent the previous night in the field. We had walked over seven kilometers in the hot sun, together with hundreds of thousands of youth and adult, carrying our backpacks and sleeping bags.
We remained there all night, following a prayer vigil led by Pope Francis in which he urged the youth not to be “couch potatoes” but instead to wake up and take ownership of our own life. If not, he warned, other people - “not necessarily better” - would make decisions for us.
Should I say, we had only joyous moments through the 17 days of Pilgrimage in Poland? Ah that would be far exaggerated statement from the truth. I had my moments of loneliness and feelings of rejection! Long hours of walk in Warsaw and later on in Krakow and spending a night on the field with hundreds of thousands of strangers all around and at the same time a feeling of not being accepted and appreciated and even mocked at, was indeed hard to digest. Walking the wrong route in the heavy rain, and with little options left to get back to our destination while failing to have the confidence of my own group, left me frustrated and clueless. WYDs are crowded and noisy but it can also take you to moments of solitude.
Now, a few Weeks after the WYD, when I look back into those painful moments, the picture gets clearer. Sr. Anitha, my companion in leading the "Claretian Youth Delegates" from Hong Kong, had given me a valuable piece of advise: "If all the people entrusted to our care are already well-formed and perfect catholics, they don't need us any more! Perhaps the Lord had given them to our care with a purpose! Do not be dis-heartened"! Yes, that makes sense!
During the vigil service with the Holy Father Pope Francis, we reflected on the plight of the Syrian refugees and the uncertainties of the youth in the war-torn regions of Aleppo and the rest. At that time, I had just listened to those stories but it never touched my senses. But now I realise that my moments of struggle were a small sample of the painful uncertainties of the life of the refugees. I thank the Lord for making me walk through this uncertainties and moments of humiliation. This was indeed a true pilgrimage which raised my awareness of a migrant’s plight, even in a small way and I wish it makes me better prepared to face tougher challenges with smile!
I wouldn't forget the beautiful atmosphere of that candlelit evening and Pope Francis encouraging us to build bridges (beginning with the easiest bridge, to clasp the hand of your neighbor). A frame that I would cherish for long would be my beloved youth joyfully taking turns to carry or push their injured friend on wheelchair till the last day of the WYD. An opportunity to concelebrate the Papal Mass during the closing mass will remain fresh in my memory.
