NEVER BE AFRAID!

My experience in Poland for the WYD was beyond that I could imagine. Surrounded by millions of young individuals, who are passionate about the Christian faith was a humbling experience. 

In fact, I believe that all the people I have met are probably much more enthusiastic about the faith than me. To be in the middle of all of the joy showed by millions of pilgrims was a true honour and amazing experience that I will never forget. 

It has proved to me that there are millions of young individuals like me who are still staying true to the Catholic and Christian faith in the world. Seeing these pilgrims from all over the world has shown me that Jesus' love will always be present no matter how secular the world has become, despite the recent events that have happened or despite the fact that there has been a lot of Christian persecution in some parts of the world. 

Seeing Pope Francis and to hear his encouraging words were I believe what all young Christian individuals had to hear right now, to use our youthful energy to show God's love in today's society.

I have been a big fan of Saint Pope John Paul the second all my life and to have had the privilege to stay in Wadowice was a true honour, a very humbling and unique experience. I knew that he used to say all the time that to never be afraid, that's what I will always bring with me as a young Catholic. This WYD experience has only reinforced that to me. 

Dave Dagongdong, from the UK

I FELL SPIRITUALLY REJUVENATED

The 2 weeks were very life changing and more than inspiring. Meeting up with other youths from different parts of the world, cultures and diversities for that one thing that unites us all, God. 

 
  Amazing. I feel spiritually rejuvenated especially from the prayerful activities and group sharing that we had in Hungary as well as Pope Francis’ homilies. 

I also learnt a lot from this experience and that as a pilgrim, my journey does not end but continues forever in helping to change lives and making the world a better place.

Gladys Sagwete, Zimbabwean, live currently in the UK

The trip has benefited me in so many ways

World Youth Day has been a wonderful experience that I would love to re-live again. Seeing so many different people from various places, holding up their flags and singing songs from their respective countries all in one place, sharing one thing in common, our faith to God, which was beautiful to witness. 

  

  

The trip has benefited me in so many ways, allowed me to explore my faith further by visiting certain places like the Divine Mercy Sanctuary, Auschwitz, St. John Paul II hometown etc  allowed me to be more grateful with my life and my faith. 

 

 

 As a person who works within Chemistry, I don’t get to see people sharing the same faith as me which made it difficult for me practice my faith, so being able to witness so many people in one place also sharing the same common ground as me with God was needed for me. 

(Cleancy Braganza, from the UK)