BRAD ROWSWELL

Day 1
My name is Brad. I’m young (22), I’m Catholic and I’m at World Youth Day in Sydney. I’m with the St Paul’s Parish group from Bentleigh. We are all about the same age and there are about 24 of us.

Day 2
It is incredible to think that someone can communicate with you using a completely different language. Last night I met pilgrims from France. It’s really great at WYD, chatting to people is so easy – there is no pretence, no proving yourself. The basis for your relationship is Christ – and what a solid foundation that is!

Day 3
People who know me know that I rarely struggle for words. The fact is I’m finding it hard to put words to today’s experience.

I thought that real happiness and joy were experiences that we were only gifted with in small proportions. Tonight, joy and happiness was a sustained experience and one that will not easily be forgotten.

Let’s face it, Australia is a secular nation where the foundational values on which our nation was forged are being called into question regularly. Amid this hostile environment, 200,000 pilgrims gathered at Barangaroo in Sydney’s Darling Harbour for the opening Mass and concert for WYD. Although the description of the event itself may be a bit sketchy and vague, one thing is for sure – Jesus was present there tonight. Incredible.

Day 4
Today started off with a visit to Bondi Beach. Pilgrims packed the public transport and remained in good spirits. We were greeted with the last part of an address by Cardinal Napier who was there to meet young Franciscans. This time concluded with a renewal of Baptismal promises and a blessing with holy water.

The day concluded with a debate at Sydney Uni hosted by the Australian Catholic Student Association. The topic was “God is dead” – you’ll be please to know that the team for the negative won!

I continue to be amazed at the spirit of the young people who surround me.

Day 5
Today was so amazing – there is no other way to describe it. Put simply, Jesus the Son of God was tangibly present. Today the Vicar of Christ was officially welcomed.

The other day I noted that the basis for our relationships whilst on WYD is Jesus – and what a strong foundation that is. Today those foundations were cemented as Pope Benedict XVI arrived at Barangaroo. Why? There was something in the air, something spiritual; not wishy-washy but solid and true. I guess it’s a feeling visibly expressed through colour, music, smiles – all good things being used to glorify the One who is the source of all good.

As the Pope arrived at Barangaroo, about 150,000 pilgrims were present to greet him. Many more were gathered in the Domain. The screams and shouts of the crowd were deafening but not threatening. There were no drugs, no alcohol, no stereotypes; yet the young people around me appeared to be on the biggest high of their life. Everyone respectfully listened as His Holiness addressed the pilgrims.

The day was not over yet. Christopher West, author of Good News About Sex and Marriage, addressed a crowded Sydney Convention Centre. This dynamic presentation on Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, presented the dignity and respect in which we should see others. I think the people around me walked away with more questions than answers – which is a fantastic thing. At least now their minds are less numb to the consumerism which is thrown at us these days. At least now they have a better chance at understanding who they are and understanding the truth of Jesus.

Day 6
Many a time I have heard it said, ‘the only thing we have to boast of is the Cross’ – how true that was this afternoon. The Stations of the Cross graced the streets of Sydney; thousands of people gathered to witness this magnificent faith statement.

Day 7
I’m surrounded … literally. There are people all around me – all of them having a fantastic time. I’m at Randwick Racecourse. It is a sea of people, colour, music and festivities. We are about 100 metres from the stage, a great position. We are all set for an awesome night of performance and evening Vigil with Pope Benedict XVI.

The evening Vigil was awesome. People around me could not believe the prayerful series of events. According to them, the most striking time was adoring the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. There are so many pilgrims here and they are all silent, adoring our Lord. How powerful!

Day 8
Today was the final day of the World Youth Day festivities, which concluded with Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI. What an awesome witness to our great Faith!

With pilgrims from Iraq to my right and Italy to my left, we welcomed the Holy Father as he made his way around the arena. For me, this is what WYD is about – gathering around the successor of St Peter as the Universal Church and celebrating the source and summit of our Faith, the greatest prayer, the Mass.

When receiving the Eucharist today, I truly felt the Lord close. I really think this time, with all its trials and tribulations, has been the spiritual renewal I have been seeking.