SYDNEY, Australia – By opening their hearts to the Holy Spirit, young people can change the world, said Pope Benedict XVI as he addressed more than 200,000 pilgrims and local Australians inside Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse at the closing Mass of the 23rd World Youth Day, Sunday morning, July 20.

Enthusiastic pilgrims had already spent nearly 24 hours celebrating their Catholic faith in Southern Cross Precinct, which encompasses the Royal Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park. They had gathered there to participate in an evening vigil, sleep under the stars and share morning Mass with the Successor of Peter.

Marie Elena Giossi Photo

YOUNG PEOPLE FROM DIOCESE await the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia

Campers still waking up and others walking about in the chilly Australian winter air, waved to the skies as the 81-year-old pontiff arrived before 9 a.m. via helicopter. After touching down, people went wild as 35 video screens around the racecourse showed the Holy Father’s popemobile circling the track before arriving at a huge platform covered by a red tarp featuring a white dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit, which served as an altar and stage for the two-day event.

“In this great assembly of young Christians from all over the world, we have had a vivid experience of the Spirit’s presence and power in the life of the Church. We have seen the Church for what she truly is: the Body of Christ, a living community of love, embracing people of every race, nation and tongue, of every time and place, in the unity born of our faith in the Risen Lord,” he said.

Calling the Catholic faith “a treasure passed on from generation to generation,” he gave thanks for all who have revealed the power of the Spirit and built up the Church through the ages. He then challenged youth to consider what legacy they will leave to the next generation, what difference they will make in the world.

“A new generation of Christians is being called to help build a world in which God’s gift of life is welcomed, respected and cherished – not rejected, feared as a threat and destroyed,” he said. “The Lord is asking you to be prophets of this new age, messengers of his love, drawing people to the Father and building a future of hope for all humanity.”

He spoke to youth about the importance of prayer as “pure receptivity to God’s grace” and prayed that the grace of the Spirit would be revived in all present so that they may go forth and witness their faith to others.

Crowds erupted with applause and shouts of “Viva Il Papa” as the Holy Father paused before offering greetings in Italian, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese. He then confirmed 14 Australians and 10 international pilgrims, including Juan Martinez of the Diocese of Austin, Texas. His final blessing and announcement that Madrid, Spain, would host the next World Youth Day in 2011 marked the culmination of the largest youth event Australia has ever seen.

While Sunday Mass evoked a reverent atmosphere across the field, Saturday evening was equivalent to New Year’s Eve in Times Square. Anticipation grew with each announcement that the Holy Father was just 10 minutes, five minutes and then one minute away. Upon his arrival, pilgrims exploded with energetic and uproarious applause.

Sitting next to the WYD Cross and icon of Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Pope Benedict presided over two hours of festivities, including a candlelight ceremony with indigenous people, musical and dance performances and testimonies of faith.

A hush fell as the Holy Father addressed the young people about their role as Christians in today’s world and how the Third Person of the Trinity, “who, though silent and unseen, gives direction and definition to our witness to Jesus Christ.”

He shared St. Augustine’s insights about the “Holy Spirit as the bond of unity within the Blessed Trinity: unity as communion, unity as abiding love, and unity as giving and gift.”

Emphasizing that “unity is the essence of the Church,” he encouraged young people to accept the seven-fold gifts of the Spirit and “let unifying love be your measure; abiding love your challenge; self-giving love your mission!”

Saint from Australia

He closed his address with the words of the woman poised to become Australia’s first saint, Blessed Mary MacKillop: “Believe in the whisperings of God to your heart.”

Pope Benedict took leave of his flock around 9 p.m. following Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Chilly temperatures in the mid-40s prompted many pilgrims to bundle up and retire for the night. Others stayed awake, roaming the grounds singing and offering free hugs or spending their time in Eucharistic Adoration tents.

It had been a long day, which, for many, began before the sun rose over the Great South Land. By dawn, thousands had begun a trek of several miles from hostels, boarding houses, hotels and other accommodations to the Southern Cross Precinct.

Following the mid-morning USCCB Mass for American pilgrims at The Domain, the Brooklyn and Queens delegation marched through Hyde Park under a canopy of eucalyptus trees and several miles through closed roads, singing and praying the rosary amid enthusiastic peers from across the globe. Locals watched from sidewalks and windows. One store put urns outside with a sign offering free coffee and tea to pilgrims.

Brooklyn and Queens pilgrims could hear Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Stan Fortuna singing, “Ain’t no party like a Catholic party because a Catholic party don’t stop,” as they entered their gate at the racecourse. They passed through empty stables and collected canvas bags filled with fruit and pre-packaged dinner and breakfast items from WYD volunteers. As they wound their way toward section B1, both young adults and chaperones realized they were situated directly in front of the main altar and stage, behind seating for clergy.

A Local delegate prepares to spend the night at Randwick Racecourse.

This was the second time in a week the group had been blessed with prime seating at a papal event. Youth stood within a few feet of the popemobile as the Holy Father exited Barangaroo following his July 17 arrival ceremony.

“I felt the presence of God,” said Kendra Reyes, 25, who traveled with her younger sister Pedrina as part of the contingent from SS. Peter and Paul parish, Williamsburg.
“He (Pope Benedict) lets us know we’re some kind of hope for the people of the world and the Church,” she said. “We’re witnesses. To me, that means showing to others the love of God, not only in words but also in actions.”

In her own life, Reyes, an early childhood education major at Lehman College, said that being a witness means having more patience with others and learning how to accept people the way they are.

She and her sister rolled out their sleeping bags last Saturday on top of heavy blue tarps, which the diocesan delegation laid down over gray rubber turf protectors. They joined pilgrims from St. John’s University; Holy Family Church, Flushing; Blessed Trinity, Rockaway Beach; Holy Innocents, Flatbush; and Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Bayside, who arrived at the track early to stake out the best spot. These groups also agreed to take the first flight back home and so had only one chance to see the pope on Saturday night before leaving the field at 5 a.m. Sunday morning.

As far as sleeping bags were concerned, none were more colorful than those brought by St. Margaret Mary-Our Lady of Mt. Carmel’s group in the official WYD colors. Some brought tents, folding chairs and even an air mattress. Less prepared campers in other sections relied on cardboard boxes and heavy plastic bags to keep them warm.

Curious young adults spent the afternoon exploring the grounds, trading pins, signing each other’s back packs and playing soccer. Many chose to listen to a witness talk given by ex-gangster John Pridmore and live performances of Christian worship songs.

“This week has been amazing. Seeing all these Catholics here is really something special. I’m so glad my parents made the sacrifice. Father Gerard (Sauer) and Marilyn Santos put it together so well, I just can’t thank them enough,” said Anthony O’Reilly from Holy Family as he stood in the shadow of the main altar, reflecting on his experiences throughout the week.

A senior at Holy Cross H.S., he proudly shared that the greatest spiritual experience he had at his first WYD was receiving the sacrament of reconciliation.

“Since it’s been a long time, I went to confession,” he explained. “I went to a priest I didn’t know. The things he said about my sins really got to me, got to my heart. I felt like a burden came off my shoulders. It’s an amazing feeling. I think I’ll be a different person because of what he said to me.”

When he returns home, the young man plans to integrate the sacrament into his faith life. He also says he’ll heed the words of the Holy Father and witness his faith to family and friends.

“Now I have to go out and preach what I’ve experienced. I have to tell others and I can’t just say it in words, I have to express it in my actions,” O’Reilly said.