During World Youth Day this year,I got to try a new form of praying. Our group met in the St. Louis airport, and before we left, a priest in our group led us in an opening prayer. He encouraged us to try a new form of prayer: “offering it up”! So during the week I had plenty of opportunities to offer up my suffering to God, especially with over 2 million people being present! I tried to unite my suffering to Jesus’ suffering during his Passion. On Saturday, we had the greatest opportunity for suffering, since it was the day of our Pilgrimage. Many pilgrims walked through the streets of the city that day. Our group started from the Cathedral, and everyone headed towards the beach for a prayer vigil that night with the Pope. About half way through the 5 mile walk, my feet started to hurt, my pack got heavy, and I got tired. I kept offering up my pain for the intentions I carried with me in my pack around my waist. The crowd was thick as we walked, but always full of energy and full of joy. Different groups kept breaking out into different chants and songs. “Esta es, la juventude del Papa!” “This is, the youth of the Pope!” I met a girl from Canada as we walked, and then walked next to a girl from our group named Toni. We talked about how great of an analogy this is for our life’s journey. We are all walking together, in the Church on earth, making our way towards heaven. We all have each other as we walk to help us make it there, to encourage us, and keep us company as we go.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 01:55:41 +0000
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