Rome, Italy
by Angela DiLalla
This summer I had the great privilege of being a participant at
the fifteenth World Youth Day in Rome, Italy. For 10 days in
August, I, along with 6 other representatives from St. John’s
University, joined a group of approximately 70 people from the
Diocese of Brooklyn and embarked on a great spiritual
journey...
To say that World Youth Day 2000 in Rome, Italy was an
unbelievable experience is an understatement. In fact, I find it
rather difficult to capture it here on paper – surreal may be the
best way to describe it. Throughout the ten-day pilgrimage, I
repeated to myself over and over, “How will I relay what I am
experiencing here to my family and friends back home?” There
was so much to “take in” that it seemed that neither pictures nor
my words could do it justice. But I will try to make an
attempt now….
First and foremost, it became very real to me that this trip was
a pilgrimage, not a vacation. This was evident in the many
sacrifices that were made – enduring the heat and long distance
walking along with lack of sleep and dehydration. Despite all
of this, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat – it was
totally worth the obstacles we had to overcome, and I do not regret
a minute of it. Although I had been to Italy several times
before, I was never there in such a context. I was able to
experience Rome in a completely different light, and what better
time to do that than the Jubilee year!
My first impressions of World Youth Day were at the opening
ceremonies in St. Peter’s Square on the Feast of the Assumption – I
was struck most by the passion of the people. The scene was
over 2 million people crowding into (or trying to get as close as
possible to) St. Peter’s Square. And although that may sound
intimidating, I found it quite fascinating – there was singing and
chanting from all cultures of the world. Spirits were so high,
and it stirred the spirit within as well!
We were also able to participate in a Vincentian aspect of World
Youth Day. Joining other young people from around the world
united in the Vincentian spirit, we heard the words of Father
Maloney, the Superior General of the Vincentian Community and
learned more about the Vincentian ideals that our university is
built upon.
Among the other events we participated in were catechetical
sessions – one of which we heard the inspiring words of Cardinal
Bevilacqua, and I had the pleasure and privilege to personally
speak with him afterwards. We were also blessed with the
presence of Bishop Thomas Daily throughout our trip – it was
wonderful having him there praying with us and even having meals
with us!
We returned to St. Peter’s towards the end of the week for an
early morning procession. In a different context from the
excitement of the opening ceremonies, we solemnly prayed while we
walked towards the Basilica – a very breathtaking and moving
experience.
But perhaps the highlight of the entire pilgrimage was the
overnight vigil and closing ceremonies at Tor
Vergata. Although many of us joked we were at “Pope-stock” as
we endured the hot Mediterranean sun during the day and the cold of
the night, we all knew there was something biblical about what we
were doing. 2.5 million people – a “carpet” of people, they
called it – camped out in an enormous field as far as the eye could
see. I can honestly say that never in my entire life have I
seen so many people gathered in one place, all for the same
reason. It emulated the words of the official song of World
Youth Day 2000 – “Emmanuel”
We are here...
Under the same light
Under His cross
Singing in one voice...
All I can say now is, I can’t wait for World Youth Day 2002 in
Toronto!!