So on Day 8, we spent the whole day in the Krakow Tauron Arena. (If you live in Lafayette, it's like the Cajundome on steroids. If you live in Alexandria, it's nothing like the Coliseum, go to the Cajundome to get a feel for it.) So we arrive by tram, for it was a good 5 or 6 kilometers away from our hostel. The Tauron Arena held about 20,000 people, and the awesome part was that they were all English speaking countries (USA, Britain, Ireland, Australia, etc), so I understood everything that was said. In Catechesis, they had different venues around the city for various languages. Praise the Lamb we had air conditioning in our venue.
To watch the catechesis and mass, click here.
We entered, the stage was massive. Props to the Knights of Columbus! Chris Stefanick was giving an opening talk on Pope JPII, Saint Faustina, and Maximilian Kolbe. He told a story about JPII helping a whole Communist community in Poland that turned to Christ, even though their government did not. He came back to Poland as Pope, and the people shouted "We want God! We want God!" He then called up a nun from The Sisters of Life, who spoke on how much God loves us, how much time he puts into us. "If you are here [on Earth], you're blessed. You're put here for a reason." She said, "love is demanding if it's going to be real."
He then called up Jason and Crystalina Evert, as they entered with thunderous applause. Jason spoke about living your life in true love, where our goal now is not the absence of sin, but is the presence of a clean heart.
Chris then called up Cardinal Sean O'Malley. He spoke on why Pope Francis called for a Jubilee Year of Mercy. At this time in society, abortions, homelessness, refugees, disrespect for each other and creation: all of these require mercy, and all of these are so apparent in today's world.
We then celebrated the Sacrifice of the Mass.
Following mass, we split into break out sessions. The first one I attended was titled "The Souls of John Paul II," which was by George Weigel, the man who actually wrote JPII's biography. He spoke of JPII's many souls, such as his Polish, Marian, and Acting Souls. He ended with the quote, "It is no longer permitted to live in mediocrity." The second break out session I attended was called "The Biology of the Theology of the Body," by Vicky Thorn. This talk dove deeper into the Theology of the Body, and actually went into the science of "why" birth control is wrong, and other topics.
I actually was not supposed to be in the second break out session, due to fire hazard reasons. Leah A. and I snuck into some seats and shared seats with other people, then Leah sat on the floor and we covered her up with backpacks and flags that people from other countries offered us. This was true solidarity at work. True fraternity.
After the talk, I got lost, and ended up in the chapel (this was about the size of the Rapides Parish Coliseum), and I looked to my left, saw some priests available for confession, and went. I then spent some time in silent adoration.
After that, everyone met back into the main room for the American gathering.
To watch it, click here.
They introduced each state in America, along with many bishops from the USA. One of the co-hosts looked, dressed, and sounded like a Kindergarten teacher (Obviously this is relevant information). There were a lot of people who weren't from the USA, so they were given awkward applauses ("Let's give it up from the USA...(applause)...and friends! (applause)).
The most moving part of the USA part, was when a group of young people gave testimony. Testimony to Auschwitz, Rwanda persecutions, and Syrian refugees.
"The age of martyrs isn't over. Many of our Christian brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, Syria, and other parts of the Middle East, have paid the ultimate price for their faith in Jesus." He offered prayer, and fasting (sharing in the sacrifice, solidarity). "Let us pray for all modern day martyrs, especially Father Jacques, the 86 year old priest who was killed yesterday in France. Let us pray for God to give us courage to be missionaries of mercy in the midst of persecution."
The next was on police, race, and gun violence in the United States. This part was intense because all of this had been happening as we left our homes the past week. And as stated by a speaker earlier in the day, a pilgrimage is not a vacation. A vacation is when you escape from the world. A pilgrimage is when you embrace the world more fully. Talking about the current tragic events going on really hit me hard. Evil is real and will do anything to gain access to the world. But where evil is present, grace abounds all the more.
Next, a youth group from San Diego stood onstage. They were eating dinner in Munich, when a man ran in and shouted that there was a shooting outside. They cried, they were shocked to the core as they heard shots ran out. But they continued on their journey to the land of JPII, the land of mercy. He ended with JPII's words: "Do Not Be Afraid."
Jesus, I trust in you.
They ended this part of the evening with Classic American Patriotic songs.
The next part of the evening was the absolute best. Put on by Lifeteen International, we had a "Night of Mercy" with worship by Matt Maher and Audrey Assad, speakers Joel Stepanick and Bishop Robert Barron.
To watch the Night of Mercy (watch it), click here.
It started off with some praise with Matt and Audrey, and then Joel gave a testimony about how Christ is not done with us yet. Then, he ended in prayer and welcomed our King in the Eucharist, as they processed with Jesus into the main arena. Matt sang a wonderful rendition of "Come As You Are," with the beautiful lyric, "Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can't heal." (I would like to add this for a second. My personal prayer includes that of charisms, and many of the pilgrims I came with are very traditional. I am not bringing them down or anything, because we all have our own personal way of conversation with the Lord.) I don't want to type up a lot about this evening, but I will say that it was well needed. By this point in time, this was the largest adoration I had ever attended. 20,000 people. Yet, in the midst of the people and the music, God was with me, and only me. (And I'm humble.) He was there to talk with me and I was just overwhelmed with peace and love, and I realized that in this arena, I could let go and just sing out my praises, whether they were on key or not; I could stand up and dance, if the spirit led me to; I could smile, laugh, cry, or do whatever my heart desired, because I was with my God, and no one could take that away from me.
Then Bishop Barron went up to the altar, and spoke, while Jesus lie in the Eucharist directly to his left. He posed the question: Why was the cross necessary? You can listen on the link.
"We Christians are made to invade the world, so as to transform it from the inside. How? Through the power of the cross." Through mercy. Joining the long line of Christian martyrs. Just like Father Jacques.
We then had benediction, the Divine Praises, and He recessed out.
We sang Matt Maher's song, "Christ Is Risen," singing:
"Oh death, where is your sting?
Oh Hell, where is your victory?
Oh Church, come stand in the light!
The Glory of God has defeated the night!
Our God is not dead, He's alive!"
God won the battle. Though on Earth, nothing seems to be going right, we know that the Church is one place we can remain safe, and be at peace, and ultimately be home with our God.
Praise God for this evening of personal enrichment. We headed back to our hostel (though we waited at the bus stop for about 45 minutes) (Ho ho ho hosanna, ha ha hallelujah) and went to bed. It had been a long day in the Tauron Arena. Thus ended Day 8.
Catechesis/Mass
USA Evening
Night of Mercy (Adoration)
Nicholas Scalfano
To watch the catechesis and mass, click here.
We entered, the stage was massive. Props to the Knights of Columbus! Chris Stefanick was giving an opening talk on Pope JPII, Saint Faustina, and Maximilian Kolbe. He told a story about JPII helping a whole Communist community in Poland that turned to Christ, even though their government did not. He came back to Poland as Pope, and the people shouted "We want God! We want God!" He then called up a nun from The Sisters of Life, who spoke on how much God loves us, how much time he puts into us. "If you are here [on Earth], you're blessed. You're put here for a reason." She said, "love is demanding if it's going to be real."
He then called up Jason and Crystalina Evert, as they entered with thunderous applause. Jason spoke about living your life in true love, where our goal now is not the absence of sin, but is the presence of a clean heart.
Chris then called up Cardinal Sean O'Malley. He spoke on why Pope Francis called for a Jubilee Year of Mercy. At this time in society, abortions, homelessness, refugees, disrespect for each other and creation: all of these require mercy, and all of these are so apparent in today's world.
We then celebrated the Sacrifice of the Mass.
Following mass, we split into break out sessions. The first one I attended was titled "The Souls of John Paul II," which was by George Weigel, the man who actually wrote JPII's biography. He spoke of JPII's many souls, such as his Polish, Marian, and Acting Souls. He ended with the quote, "It is no longer permitted to live in mediocrity." The second break out session I attended was called "The Biology of the Theology of the Body," by Vicky Thorn. This talk dove deeper into the Theology of the Body, and actually went into the science of "why" birth control is wrong, and other topics.
I actually was not supposed to be in the second break out session, due to fire hazard reasons. Leah A. and I snuck into some seats and shared seats with other people, then Leah sat on the floor and we covered her up with backpacks and flags that people from other countries offered us. This was true solidarity at work. True fraternity.
After the talk, I got lost, and ended up in the chapel (this was about the size of the Rapides Parish Coliseum), and I looked to my left, saw some priests available for confession, and went. I then spent some time in silent adoration.
After that, everyone met back into the main room for the American gathering.
To watch it, click here.
They introduced each state in America, along with many bishops from the USA. One of the co-hosts looked, dressed, and sounded like a Kindergarten teacher (Obviously this is relevant information). There were a lot of people who weren't from the USA, so they were given awkward applauses ("Let's give it up from the USA...(applause)...and friends! (applause)).
The most moving part of the USA part, was when a group of young people gave testimony. Testimony to Auschwitz, Rwanda persecutions, and Syrian refugees.
"The age of martyrs isn't over. Many of our Christian brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, Syria, and other parts of the Middle East, have paid the ultimate price for their faith in Jesus." He offered prayer, and fasting (sharing in the sacrifice, solidarity). "Let us pray for all modern day martyrs, especially Father Jacques, the 86 year old priest who was killed yesterday in France. Let us pray for God to give us courage to be missionaries of mercy in the midst of persecution."
The next was on police, race, and gun violence in the United States. This part was intense because all of this had been happening as we left our homes the past week. And as stated by a speaker earlier in the day, a pilgrimage is not a vacation. A vacation is when you escape from the world. A pilgrimage is when you embrace the world more fully. Talking about the current tragic events going on really hit me hard. Evil is real and will do anything to gain access to the world. But where evil is present, grace abounds all the more.
Next, a youth group from San Diego stood onstage. They were eating dinner in Munich, when a man ran in and shouted that there was a shooting outside. They cried, they were shocked to the core as they heard shots ran out. But they continued on their journey to the land of JPII, the land of mercy. He ended with JPII's words: "Do Not Be Afraid."
Jesus, I trust in you.
They ended this part of the evening with Classic American Patriotic songs.
The next part of the evening was the absolute best. Put on by Lifeteen International, we had a "Night of Mercy" with worship by Matt Maher and Audrey Assad, speakers Joel Stepanick and Bishop Robert Barron.
To watch the Night of Mercy (watch it), click here.
It started off with some praise with Matt and Audrey, and then Joel gave a testimony about how Christ is not done with us yet. Then, he ended in prayer and welcomed our King in the Eucharist, as they processed with Jesus into the main arena. Matt sang a wonderful rendition of "Come As You Are," with the beautiful lyric, "Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can't heal." (I would like to add this for a second. My personal prayer includes that of charisms, and many of the pilgrims I came with are very traditional. I am not bringing them down or anything, because we all have our own personal way of conversation with the Lord.) I don't want to type up a lot about this evening, but I will say that it was well needed. By this point in time, this was the largest adoration I had ever attended. 20,000 people. Yet, in the midst of the people and the music, God was with me, and only me. (And I'm humble.) He was there to talk with me and I was just overwhelmed with peace and love, and I realized that in this arena, I could let go and just sing out my praises, whether they were on key or not; I could stand up and dance, if the spirit led me to; I could smile, laugh, cry, or do whatever my heart desired, because I was with my God, and no one could take that away from me.
Then Bishop Barron went up to the altar, and spoke, while Jesus lie in the Eucharist directly to his left. He posed the question: Why was the cross necessary? You can listen on the link.
"We Christians are made to invade the world, so as to transform it from the inside. How? Through the power of the cross." Through mercy. Joining the long line of Christian martyrs. Just like Father Jacques.
We then had benediction, the Divine Praises, and He recessed out.
We sang Matt Maher's song, "Christ Is Risen," singing:
"Oh death, where is your sting?
Oh Hell, where is your victory?
Oh Church, come stand in the light!
The Glory of God has defeated the night!
Our God is not dead, He's alive!"
God won the battle. Though on Earth, nothing seems to be going right, we know that the Church is one place we can remain safe, and be at peace, and ultimately be home with our God.
Praise God for this evening of personal enrichment. We headed back to our hostel (though we waited at the bus stop for about 45 minutes) (Ho ho ho hosanna, ha ha hallelujah) and went to bed. It had been a long day in the Tauron Arena. Thus ended Day 8.
Catechesis/Mass
USA Evening
Night of Mercy (Adoration)
Nicholas Scalfano
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