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Being confirmed by the Holy Father and receiving communion was wonderful. I am only a baby Catholic (I was baptised at Easter) and it was such an honour and a blessing to be confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI. He is such a gentle man.

We arrived late Monday night with our parish group at Marian Catholic Primary School, in Horsley Park, Sydney. Our baggage didn’t arrive until the next night so we tried to sleep on the cold floor. I guess that’s part of being a pilgrim.

We attended the Opening Mass, which was really fantastic, but then my wife Malgorzata caught a fever the next day. We thank God that a friend offered to put us up in his flat for the rest of the week. This was really a blessing.

I spent the next three days at rehearsals for the Saturday Evening Vigil and Sunday Mass. Most of the time was spent waiting for our cue to go on stage, which gave all the candidates an opportunity to get to know each other and discuss our backgrounds. By Sunday, Malgorzata was fit enough to be my confirmation sponsor.

I must mention Sr Anna Wray from Nashville, Tennessee, who is a tower of strength and at the same time as calm as a lake. Nothing can ruffle her. She had been organising the ‘confirmandi’ along with the readers, candle bearers and other Mass participants for months. She is a great inspiration to us all and is filled with the Holy Spirit.

I chose St Matthew as my confirmation saint, even though Matthew is my first name. We were each asked by Sr Anna to choose a saint and give the reason for our choice. Lying in bed that night, I pondered what St Matthew might say to me if I chose another saint as my confirmation saint: “Wasn’t your birth name good enough for you?” So, with the greatest respect I chose St Matthew.

Every one went bananas at the final Mass. And at the same time there was absolute quiet and reverence when Pope Benedict called for reflection. His homily was very inspiring. I also really liked the address that Cardinal George Pell gave. (After reading his book, Be Not Afraid, he is in my fan book too.)

On the outside I may have looked calm and collected, but on the inside my heart was going boom-b-boom-b-boom. The moment of confirmation went much too fast. I could hardly appreciate it up on the altar. We were also standing very close to the edge of the stage, where there was a two to three-metre drop.

But when I knelt before the Holy Father, we both looked briefly into each other’s eyes, and he said in his delightful German accent:

“Matthew, be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
I responded: “Amen”.
HF: “Peace be with you.”
R: “And also with you.”

I can still hear his voice in my head.

The whole of World Youth Day was such a good example of how people from all different nationalities and backgrounds can break down the barriers that separate us and accept one another without prejudice or judgement. Despite the sometimes tough conditions, the half-frozen pies, the long days, and the cold and the tiredness, no one complained that they didn’t want to be part of the celebrations.

 World Youth Day was a great inspiration to me, and I believe to all Catholics and also to all Australians regardless of denomination.