Honestly, Day 5 will be extremely hard to write about. We woke up very early that morning to head to Auschwitz, about an hour West of Krakow. Auschwitz is the Nazi concentration camp(s) used during WWII to kill off the Jewish and Polish peoples.
On this day, we had a new tour guide, Ewa. She was no Conrad, but was still very knowledgeable about the area. She was a Polish Catholic, and loved to talk. Loved to talk. Again, she loved to talk. On the way there, she gave us a brief history of the area, and as we arrived, she talked about the actual concentration camps.
We arrived at Aucshwitz I, the first camp made by the Nazi's. There, we got to see the infamous "Arbeit Macht Frei" gate, which translates to "Work Sets You Free." This is the lie told to everyone entering the camp. They thought they were safe while entering, but we know the rest of the story. TO walk through the gate, and to see the double electric fence surrounding the camp, I was shattered. How could man do this to man? How could we ever kill our brothers and sisters?
We got to see the building where Saint Maximilian Kolbe died. As stated before, Kolbe offered his life in place of another man's at the camp. Kolbe was a priest and celebrated many masses and offered many confessions for the prisoners there, so that they may go home to their Father in Heaven in eternal peace and rest.
After Auschwitz I we drove to Auschwitz II, better known as Birkenau. This one was more emotionally impacting. As we walked in, we immediately recognized the notorious railroad tracks, where millions of people arrived, ignorantly awaiting their own deaths. We walked along the ditches where babies were thrown because of the "surplus population." We stood where people were shot because of their race and religion. We walked around the entire camp, where not much grew, and not much lived. All you heard was the crunching of the feet, with the weight of man's sins heavy in air. No wildlife was seen, and no plant grew. We passed the gas chamber, the "living" quarters, and the working field. We then passed the most real part of it all; in front of me, there lay a small pond, with a black monument in front that read, in four different languages:
"To the memory of the men, women, and children who fell victim to the Nazi genocide. In this pond lie their ashes. May their souls rest in peace."
I will be completely honest; I do not want to type out all of the facts and tragedies presented to me on this dismal day. This day made me aware of how precious life is, and how awesome Christ is, because he gave us an objective truth of living. Hitler had his own truth, and Auschwitz resulted from that. Certain Americans have their own truth on life, and abortion is a result of that. Life is precious, and God's truth protects life.
The parallels of the Holocaust and abortion are frightening. Are not women being promised freedom by killing their child, but ultimately they end up dying (emotionally, spiritually, sometimes physically) themselves? They are given a false promise of freedom, and end up becoming slaves to world of death. The numbers of abortion are exponentially higher than that of the number of deaths during the Holocaust. Culture tries to make its own families, its own perfect reality, just as Hitler tried to make his own perfect race. Hitler ended up committing suicide, just as our society is slowly committing its own suicide by taking away the dignity of being a human person.
Hitler wanted his own perfect race. But when has anyone except for Christ been perfect here on Earth? No one has, because to achieve perfection is not of this world. It's of the next. And there is not a perfect race, because we are made to be different, to complement each other.
Pope John Paul II said, "It is the duty of every man to uphold the dignity of every woman." Are we men doing our best to protect women? To protect those who give life? Are we being doers, and not watchers? Are we following our own truths, or the Truth, which is Jesus Christ? ("I am the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life")
After visiting Auschwitz, we went to Saint John Paul II's hometown, Wadowice. This, being very different from Auschwitz, was a celebration of life. First, we walked into the Basilica of JPII, and it was so beautiful! We got to see many of his relics, along with a chair he sat in when he came back to his hometown, along with a chair that Pope Benedict XVI sat in. The church was used for many confessions at the time, it being the year of mercy, and the theme of WYD this year was "Blessed are the merciful."
For those of you that do not know, Saint John Paul II actually started World Youth Day in 1985. He loved the youth, even as archbishop of Krakow. He also helped get the message of Divine Mercy to the world, from Saint Faustina's teachings and Diary. Saint JPII was definitely present in Wadowice, with children playing in fountains, people having the happiest dispositions, and the love present among the atmosphere.
We also got to see his original house, which is now a museum. I toured it with Krista, a pretty awesome pilgrim. You were not allowed to take pictures, but I snuck in a good hundred snaps or so. The museum was all about his life growing up, becoming a priest, and eventualy becoming pope; the museum also had moments from every place his visited in interactive displays, along with his original birth room, kitchen, and living area. That was awesome! To see where an actual Saint was born, in such a normal place. Just as Jesus was born in such a lowly place. If these people are great, who is to say that I can't be?
In one part, they had a glass case in the floor, holding the actual gun that a man used to shoot JPII. That part was intense; it made it even more special in his message of mercy, seeing that JPII forgave the man who shot him. If someone shot me, and I lived...oh goodness, I don't think I would be able to forgive so fast. Easier said than done. And that is why he is a Saint, and I'm not...yet. I'm slowly trying to become one, it just takes small steps.
The town of Wadowice was definitely alive because of JPII's life. It was inspiring to see how one man's journey to Heaven inspires so many people's desire for greatness and for genuine happiness. We also got to eat in Wadowice, and I ate with some friends at a genuine Polish restaurant, where I bought some pirogues with meat, and they were absolutely fantastic. Also, I bought some Iced Tea, which I am pretty sure John Paul II drank himself because it was so good and so not that wicked, evil, devil gas water. Also, the town had Pope cake! It is a type of cake (I don't remember the specific name, but everyone called it Pope cake) that John Paul II said he enjoyed as a child, so the whole town started selling gobs of it. It was really good! I mean I've had better, but after eating really bland Polish food for days, it was nice to have a sweet change. Also, I found out where all the ice in Europe goes to...Lody (Ice Cream), it's all they eat! What a Lody crap, right? I want ice in my water, my Coke, my tea! (Not that gas water, though.)
After leaving Wadowice, we got on the bus and headed to a church for Sunday mass. This is where our bus driver, Daniel, showed his beast skills at tour bus maneuvering. That bus went in place that I don't even think I would be able to drive my Honda Accord through. Up and down, sideways, through a mountain range, and finally, on the side of a mountain, stood a massive Basilica, entitled Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (try saying that 5 times really fast). IT overlooked the city of Krakow from miles away, high in the air. Speakers surrounded the outside of the church, and we heard a mass being said as we walked up. The priest was at the consecration, and everyone outside was kneeling. Again, Poland is so Catholic, that even if the church was full, they would be outside worshiping the same way as if they were inside. Beautiful. We went behind the Basilica and eventually found a side chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony for mass. We said mass, and on our way out, we saw a huge hill. On this hill stood the Stations of the Cross. A small replica of what Jesus had to endeavor at Calvary was recreated in Poland, for anyone who wished to walk in his steps and follow the events of Christ's Passion and Death.
As we left, Daniel (Dang* Daniel, back at it with the bus driving) drove that bus down the mountain, back to our hostel, where we were told we had some time to go eat. I had a really great meal that evening, and I wish I knew the name, but I don't. I have a picture, but I'm still not sure on how to upload it. One day, one day. We got back to hostel for our nightly pow wow, and we received our World Youth Day Pilgrim Packages, which included a lot of items, including a scarf that came in handy in more that one event, even though it was the middle of summer. (Being of Polish descent, I have very, very white skin, and I wrapped my head continuously, so that my scalp and neck would not burn.
Anyway, I'm not sure why I typed all of that last paragraph, but thus ends day 5.
Nicholas Scalfano
On this day, we had a new tour guide, Ewa. She was no Conrad, but was still very knowledgeable about the area. She was a Polish Catholic, and loved to talk. Loved to talk. Again, she loved to talk. On the way there, she gave us a brief history of the area, and as we arrived, she talked about the actual concentration camps.
We arrived at Aucshwitz I, the first camp made by the Nazi's. There, we got to see the infamous "Arbeit Macht Frei" gate, which translates to "Work Sets You Free." This is the lie told to everyone entering the camp. They thought they were safe while entering, but we know the rest of the story. TO walk through the gate, and to see the double electric fence surrounding the camp, I was shattered. How could man do this to man? How could we ever kill our brothers and sisters?
We got to see the building where Saint Maximilian Kolbe died. As stated before, Kolbe offered his life in place of another man's at the camp. Kolbe was a priest and celebrated many masses and offered many confessions for the prisoners there, so that they may go home to their Father in Heaven in eternal peace and rest.
After Auschwitz I we drove to Auschwitz II, better known as Birkenau. This one was more emotionally impacting. As we walked in, we immediately recognized the notorious railroad tracks, where millions of people arrived, ignorantly awaiting their own deaths. We walked along the ditches where babies were thrown because of the "surplus population." We stood where people were shot because of their race and religion. We walked around the entire camp, where not much grew, and not much lived. All you heard was the crunching of the feet, with the weight of man's sins heavy in air. No wildlife was seen, and no plant grew. We passed the gas chamber, the "living" quarters, and the working field. We then passed the most real part of it all; in front of me, there lay a small pond, with a black monument in front that read, in four different languages:
"To the memory of the men, women, and children who fell victim to the Nazi genocide. In this pond lie their ashes. May their souls rest in peace."
I will be completely honest; I do not want to type out all of the facts and tragedies presented to me on this dismal day. This day made me aware of how precious life is, and how awesome Christ is, because he gave us an objective truth of living. Hitler had his own truth, and Auschwitz resulted from that. Certain Americans have their own truth on life, and abortion is a result of that. Life is precious, and God's truth protects life.
The parallels of the Holocaust and abortion are frightening. Are not women being promised freedom by killing their child, but ultimately they end up dying (emotionally, spiritually, sometimes physically) themselves? They are given a false promise of freedom, and end up becoming slaves to world of death. The numbers of abortion are exponentially higher than that of the number of deaths during the Holocaust. Culture tries to make its own families, its own perfect reality, just as Hitler tried to make his own perfect race. Hitler ended up committing suicide, just as our society is slowly committing its own suicide by taking away the dignity of being a human person.
Hitler wanted his own perfect race. But when has anyone except for Christ been perfect here on Earth? No one has, because to achieve perfection is not of this world. It's of the next. And there is not a perfect race, because we are made to be different, to complement each other.
Pope John Paul II said, "It is the duty of every man to uphold the dignity of every woman." Are we men doing our best to protect women? To protect those who give life? Are we being doers, and not watchers? Are we following our own truths, or the Truth, which is Jesus Christ? ("I am the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life")
After visiting Auschwitz, we went to Saint John Paul II's hometown, Wadowice. This, being very different from Auschwitz, was a celebration of life. First, we walked into the Basilica of JPII, and it was so beautiful! We got to see many of his relics, along with a chair he sat in when he came back to his hometown, along with a chair that Pope Benedict XVI sat in. The church was used for many confessions at the time, it being the year of mercy, and the theme of WYD this year was "Blessed are the merciful."
For those of you that do not know, Saint John Paul II actually started World Youth Day in 1985. He loved the youth, even as archbishop of Krakow. He also helped get the message of Divine Mercy to the world, from Saint Faustina's teachings and Diary. Saint JPII was definitely present in Wadowice, with children playing in fountains, people having the happiest dispositions, and the love present among the atmosphere.
We also got to see his original house, which is now a museum. I toured it with Krista, a pretty awesome pilgrim. You were not allowed to take pictures, but I snuck in a good hundred snaps or so. The museum was all about his life growing up, becoming a priest, and eventualy becoming pope; the museum also had moments from every place his visited in interactive displays, along with his original birth room, kitchen, and living area. That was awesome! To see where an actual Saint was born, in such a normal place. Just as Jesus was born in such a lowly place. If these people are great, who is to say that I can't be?
In one part, they had a glass case in the floor, holding the actual gun that a man used to shoot JPII. That part was intense; it made it even more special in his message of mercy, seeing that JPII forgave the man who shot him. If someone shot me, and I lived...oh goodness, I don't think I would be able to forgive so fast. Easier said than done. And that is why he is a Saint, and I'm not...yet. I'm slowly trying to become one, it just takes small steps.
The town of Wadowice was definitely alive because of JPII's life. It was inspiring to see how one man's journey to Heaven inspires so many people's desire for greatness and for genuine happiness. We also got to eat in Wadowice, and I ate with some friends at a genuine Polish restaurant, where I bought some pirogues with meat, and they were absolutely fantastic. Also, I bought some Iced Tea, which I am pretty sure John Paul II drank himself because it was so good and so not that wicked, evil, devil gas water. Also, the town had Pope cake! It is a type of cake (I don't remember the specific name, but everyone called it Pope cake) that John Paul II said he enjoyed as a child, so the whole town started selling gobs of it. It was really good! I mean I've had better, but after eating really bland Polish food for days, it was nice to have a sweet change. Also, I found out where all the ice in Europe goes to...Lody (Ice Cream), it's all they eat! What a Lody crap, right? I want ice in my water, my Coke, my tea! (Not that gas water, though.)
After leaving Wadowice, we got on the bus and headed to a church for Sunday mass. This is where our bus driver, Daniel, showed his beast skills at tour bus maneuvering. That bus went in place that I don't even think I would be able to drive my Honda Accord through. Up and down, sideways, through a mountain range, and finally, on the side of a mountain, stood a massive Basilica, entitled Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (try saying that 5 times really fast). IT overlooked the city of Krakow from miles away, high in the air. Speakers surrounded the outside of the church, and we heard a mass being said as we walked up. The priest was at the consecration, and everyone outside was kneeling. Again, Poland is so Catholic, that even if the church was full, they would be outside worshiping the same way as if they were inside. Beautiful. We went behind the Basilica and eventually found a side chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony for mass. We said mass, and on our way out, we saw a huge hill. On this hill stood the Stations of the Cross. A small replica of what Jesus had to endeavor at Calvary was recreated in Poland, for anyone who wished to walk in his steps and follow the events of Christ's Passion and Death.
As we left, Daniel (Dang* Daniel, back at it with the bus driving) drove that bus down the mountain, back to our hostel, where we were told we had some time to go eat. I had a really great meal that evening, and I wish I knew the name, but I don't. I have a picture, but I'm still not sure on how to upload it. One day, one day. We got back to hostel for our nightly pow wow, and we received our World Youth Day Pilgrim Packages, which included a lot of items, including a scarf that came in handy in more that one event, even though it was the middle of summer. (Being of Polish descent, I have very, very white skin, and I wrapped my head continuously, so that my scalp and neck would not burn.
Anyway, I'm not sure why I typed all of that last paragraph, but thus ends day 5.
Nicholas Scalfano
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