STORY - "Local Youth Visits Loreto"

Nathan Chapple, 21, of Kurri Kurri parish, was one of 15 young Australians to visit the town of Loreto, Italy, to participate in Loreto07, a national meeting of young people promoted by the Italian bishops. Nathan said that his experiences “blew his faith into next week”!

Where to begin? In Rome at the Salesianum, we all met our leader, Selina Hasham, and the World Youth Day (WYD) Co-ordinator, Bishop Anthony Fisher OP. It was here that we laid the foundations for what was to be the experience of a lifetime. Onward to Loreto (the Holy City of Mary – the Holy House of Mary is situated in the Basilica) where, upon entrance to the square,we received what could only be described as a heroes’ welcome from the 500 Loreto07 volunteers – an ocean of fluoro yellow! Here we celebrated Mass with the volunteers and were able to pray in the Holy House. After dinner with the volunteers we partied long into the night in the square.

For the next two days we were pilgrims in Assisi and Siena – in Assisi we celebrated Mass in the crypt of St Francis of Assisi with Fr Lambe, a Zambian priest presiding at his first Mass in English. We toured the Basilica and the sacred sites of Assisi, namely St Clare’s Basilica, the San Damiano monastery (where Francis received his first vision from the Lord) and the rest of the city. In the lower city we participated in a Vespers service at San Maria de Angelis (St Mary of the Angels). This beautiful basilica was a real highlight, as it is slightly bigger than St Mary’s Sydney and is topped by an eight metre tall statue of Mary!

In Siena we visited the Basilica of St Dominic, and Fr Alfredo presided at Mass. I was lucky enough to play the organ! We were shown the small section of the church where St Catherine of Siena experienced a vision from Our Lady, and also a relic - her head….

The next three days enabled us to split into groups to spread the word, not only about Loreto07, but also our own WYD08. We participated in many and varied youth gatherings in Loreto, Macerata, Tollentino and Ancona, while others ventured farther. On the Friday night we all met at the John Paul II Centre, Loreto to prepare…

On Saturday 1 September we were off to the Agora dei Giovanni to give out literature and merchandise (they just loved those little koalas…), before taking to the stage in front of 500,000 pilgrims to promote WYD and receive a rousing reception. Then, of course, the big event: the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI arrived. Wow! To hear and see the love poured on him by the young people was amazing, and personally I couldn’t stand still! He began a vigil in which he heard testimonies from selected young people and gave some beautiful responses. Following these testimonies the Holy Lady of Loreto was brought forward in her ceremonial garments, whilst the orchestra began to play the Gounod/Bach “Ave Maria”, sung by Andrea Bocelli! Following the vigil began what really was a massive party to celebrate our faith, and we met with many different international delegations.

After the much-anticipated papal Mass the next day, we moved to the square. All of a sudden a military helicopter lands. Someone shouts, “Viva il Papa!” The Holy Father was here! He blessed some ceramics featuring the Beatitudes in different languages, then went around the square to meet everyone. So, not only Mass with the Holy Father, but we shook his hand and spoke to him!!! “We can’t wait to see you in Sydney Holy Father!” “Yes I will be there,” was his response. We gave him a WYDSYD Candle, he flew home and we proceeded to Rome.

On our first day in Rome we were treated to a tour of the Catacombs – a humbling experience to see how the first Christians struggled to express their faith – but the highlight of the day was a tour of the Basilica of St Peter – what an experience! We were shown the main Basilica and some of the more important sites, but the high point was Mass in what is now the crypt where the remains of our first Pope, St Peter, and many other Popes are buried. Following the Mass we had a prayer service over the tomb of Pope John Paul II, something that meant much to all of us. From here we met with Cardinal George Pell, and he was kind enough to take us out to dinner. I was lucky enough to sit next to him – the same cannot be said for his shirt; I spilt pasta all over it!

The last two days were for rest and sightseeing, including the Colosseum and the ancient ruins. I returned from this pilgrimage not only completely reaffirmed in my own faith, but ready to be a part of WYDSYD. I’d like to thank Bishop Michael Malone for giving me this incredible opportunity.

Bishop Anthony said to me after the Vigil: “You’ve taken much grace from this. Hopefully you can take some of that with you.” I did, and I hope I can pass it on to everyone.

To read Pope Benedict’s homily at Loreto, please visit www.wyd2008.org and search for “Loreto”.

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