Toronto, Canada
by Joy D'Anca
We started with the opening mass held at the Toronto Exhibition
Center on a 90-degree day in the boiling sun. When we arrived, we
were not quite in the WYD mode, if you will, complaining of the
heat or the people stepping on us to get closer in the mass of some
1 million bodies gathered that day. To some, this seemed like a
waste of our energy, however in the early start of the ceremony, we
slowly came to realize that sandwiched together in a place truly
unfit for such an immense amount of people was a community built
solely upon similar beliefs present for a common cause. It
was when we opened ourselves to this realization that we saw God…in
every person we looked at, hugged, or joined hands with during the
Lord’s Prayer. A sense of serenity overcame each of us in more ways
than one and our hearts grew more open to what we were about to
experience. It was then that our journey turned magical. We
watched other countries from all over the world raise their flags,
sing their songs through the streets, often with our echo of
support in the background. We worshiped during catechetical
sessions, sang, prayed, danced, and grew closer to one another both
in our small group and throughout the immense number of people we
encountered each day. We were a family of a million plus…and it
felt great. Every night, we ended our time with a reflection,
adding words when necessary or simply basking in the peaceful
silence we had come to know throughout the week. I would venture to
say that it was during those short sessions that we learned the
deepest parts of one another and truly enveloped the salt and light
of our world, inspiring us to continue on our journey remaining
open to most everything we encountered. And, we did.
There came a time during the week where I felt I had experienced
so much that I needed to step away and let the spirit move my heart
and mind filled with lessons and images that needed to be processed
before moving on. So, I let my mind and body glide with the easy,
peaceful flow of time with its twists and turns, taking in all I
could with the least amount of effort since God was so present in
me. I felt as if nothing could disturb the serene waters of my
emotional state. But, I was thrown a curve that would change my
outlook on this journey forever.
I had used the week, especially the prayer sessions, to reflect on
just who was specifically my “salt and light of the world.” I felt
bothered at times, simply because I knew that I was forgetting
people in my life who deserved recognition. I recalled a resident I
encountered during my previous year as a RA. There were no words to
describe her, simply because she was beyond amazing from the bright
life in her eyes to her strong faith in God and prayer to her
sincere compassion for everyone she encountered. In just one year,
we had built a relationship that was insurmountable—one that
required no words simply because we were on the same wavelength
emotionally. When it came time to leave for the year, I had
to let her go on her way to accomplish all she had planned in life,
remaining as the stepping stone on her “journey.” I was never able
to tell anyone about how I met Jesus…only, she called herself
Alleah.
It was early Friday evening during some free time spent at
Exhibition Center in Toronto, when I randomly checked my e-mail
only to discover the heart-wrenching news that her life was
suddenly taken from this world in a fatal car accident just 5 days
before. I was devastated.
That night, I sat in prayer reflecting to myself about our
friendship and finally mustering up the courage and comfort to shed
tears in front of a group of people I grew to love and trust. It
wasn’t until they all joined hands and sang “You Are Mine” softly
in prayer that I realized I was in the presence of God represented
by 13 angels surrounding me and yet another above, watching my
every move. Suddenly, an overwhelming sense of peace engulfed my
mind and body and I knew it was all going to be ok. My journey took
a different path from that moment, so I decided to do nothing but
let God and Alleah carry me through it.
We had reached the final lap of our journey Saturday morning as
we embarked from our Hotel, flags in hand, for Downsview Park,
where we would celebrate a candlelight vigil and closing mass with
the Pope. To make another long story short, in the midst of the
heat, bugs, and mass people desperately trying to find a place to
wait for the Holy Father, our bond grew stronger with every song,
conversation, prayer service, and hug we shared…something I did not
think could get any stronger. By the time the candlelight vigil and
papal mass came around, we put aside our exhaustion, and temporary
loss of sanity, to bask in the peaceful scene, slowly becoming one
with God and each other. This was a feeling that I honestly cannot
put to words. So, I’ll leave that to your imagination.
Saying goodbye to those we met throughout our week was the
realization that our pilgrimage had ended. It was time now, to face
the challenge of putting everything we learned and experienced to
practice. Seemed like quite a task, but we were ready because it
was different from when we arrived. This was not a task we were
facing alone; rather the spirit of over 1 million people
accompanied us. So...off we went.
Upon my return from this trip in the midst of sharing my
experience with those who can only live it through pictures and
television broadcasts, I find myself deep in thought, reflecting on
my feelings and realizations I came to know in the presence of the
spirit. This journey taught me that life is merely a game with no
rules except those we make in our travels. To win, the game must be
played with the utmost dedication, compassion, and belief in the
values of yourself and other players surrounding you. The only
difference is that the rules one brings must be solely from their
inner self etched in their souls, for this is the only true way to
bring more to life from deep inside. And, we may meet
opponents along the way, however we may never know the difference
if we do not face the challenge and attempt to play with, not
against them. Chances are, those we may deem as “opponents,” will
turn out to be lifelong friends.
I truly cannot accurately explain in words what my experience in
Toronto has taught me. I can only live in the memories and try to
share the love and lessons I witnessed to those who were not as
fortunate to see it first hand. Perhaps my most valued keepsake
from this trip is the friends I made along the way. Not only did I
meet numerous people from all over, but I also grew closer than I
ever thought, with those I already had. I traveled with an amazing
group of people who were instrumental in making the journey as
powerful and ever lasting as it has been. It is because of them
that my “game” has been one of belief in both myself and others,
traveling a path supported by numerous people spreading compassion
and faith for what lies ahead. For this, I am forever
grateful. So…what’s the name of the game? LIFE. How do you
play? A little love, enthusiasm, and lots of faith. Come,
follow me and I’ll show you.