(Click here for my photos from the trip)

World Youth Day 2005: "We have come to adore him" (Mt 2:2)
Saturday, August 27, 2005

     The youth whom I had the privilege to lead to WYD 2005, those of Trailblazers, did a wonderful job in fulfilling the goal established by the motto: they went to adore him.
     The Pope said much about adoration, as I discuss in a homily (click here to go right to that part).
     One young lady, a great Trailblazers pilgrim, shared some thoughts about an experience she had in adoration.
     "...I've never felt as close to Jesus as I did Monday morning during Mass and Eucharistic adoration. It was the first time he was tangible to me. He was right there next to me and I talked to Him like He was in the flesh (which he was). I was ready and willing to let him live through me from then on; I felt his love so strongly.
    "Leaving the Church became the hardest spiritual battle I've ever faced....
    "Then I went into St. [N.'s]. I stepped into the Church and that same sense of peace, joy and acceptance I felt at Eucharistic adoration came back. It was like God saying that there, and every place with a tabernacle, I am home."
     This note from this young woman, outstanding for her spiritual sensitivity, includes much, much more greatly edifying material, but some of it is very personal so we'll just leave it out.
     One of the great challenges of World Youth Day is that many young people go for the fun and party aspect of it. A greater challenge still is that often their youth ministers or chaperones encourage them in this sort of superficiality and sensuality. This small fragment, this miniscule percentage, go to WYD, but resent the Mass, complain when adoration is offered, tolerate great immodesties, only grudgingly pray a rosary and only when it's someone else's idea.
     But this young lady gets it. She had her spiritual radars out, and sought what her heart really wants. The Lord is so good to those who seek him sincerely!
     May all of us learn to be so honest with God and with ourselves as she, so that the Lord may prove to us once again the excesses of his love for those who seek him with a sincere heart.