World Youth Day - Paris 1997

An event that changed my life. An event where millions of young people from all over the world convene. This amazing event is World Youth Day (WYD).

Every 2, 3 years, the Holy Father invites Catholic youths from every part of the world to a different country. In 1997 it was France, Paris, in 2000, it was Rome, Italy, in 2002, Toronto, Canada. This year, it was held in Sydney, Australia.

My story
The turnaround started in the summer of 1997 in Paris, France. My life before that was a mess, confusing and I often wondered why was I born into this world, there must be a meaning to it all. Mass attendance was irregular, perhaps only 5 times in a year. It was a boring Sunday occurrence. Sleeping in was more beneficial since I worked long hours. I’ve never really understood the liturgy of the mass. Why do we have to stand and sit and kneel? And everything seems to be so mechanical and routine. Then came World Youth Day.

What happened thereIn Lourdes, our first stop, a Days in Diocese program, we were asked if we wanted to volunteer. I was roped in and I had no idea what we were volunteering ourselves for, only 12 of us from the 84 Singapore delegates were chosen. Then in the middle of the mass, we were led to join hands with the priest at the altar for the Lord’s prayer. My goodness, I didn’t want to be there in the lime light. There were at least 20,000 people there in the underground basilica! God was really having a field day with me. That short prayer did something within me. I felt a warm electrifying heat passing through my body. It was like an energizing bolt passing through, I felt so happy instantly, it’s so unexplainable. I turned and started wishing everybody the sign of peace, hugging even the invalids on beds with sores and skin diseases, greeting one and all with the biggest smile. When I turned around, I realized that the priest had just started the sign of peace. What a joke! I had no idea then how that one prayer could change my life.

At WYD, the masses were lively with full celebratory participation. Flags from different countries were waved with loud cheers, we just sang and danced our hearts out. I couldn’t believe this is really mass! Not to mention the amazing praise and worship with well-known bands, everything was done professionally and well organized. I have never been so impressed by the Catholic Church. How I wished all masses could be celebrated like this.

Then when reality hit me, I was shown that in fact my relationship with God is not dependant on whether they waved flags or sung with gusto, it is a very intimate and personal relationship, only between him and me. Mass changed for me forever.

After WYD, we were so filled with enthusiasm that we said yes to recording some 16 pre-selected songs (on CD, for sale!) for the Emmanuel community whom we got to know really well while in France. We had many fellowship sessions, follow ups, and tried to start our own prayer group. Many of us also went ‘prayer group shopping’. Some of us are still in the same prayer groups that we joined back then in 1997.

Now, 10 years later, after many ups and downs, with many questions in my head. And many many fall outs with God, I have resigned from a well paying advertising job, and have been a full time missionary for the past 5.5 years, the first two years in India. Now currently serving in the Philippines.

Many events have happened since World Youth Day, but it was one of the landmarks of my spiritual journey. As I look back, if I hadn’t said yes to WYD, I wouldn’t have said yes to the prayer group, nor the various other retreats, seminars, etc which led me to where I am today. And if I hadn’t given God a chance, I would most certainly have been at the losing end, and he would still be trying to draw me back.

I know that many people go to WYD because of friends or the idea of networking with other young people from all around the world. But I went there on my own without knowing anyone, and many of my closest friends now are those in our contingent during WYD. Strangers turned into friends, journeying together, and spending an amazingly, unforgettable time together.