The World Youth Day Spirit lives on...

Tropa ng Kabataang Pinoy sa Deutschland (Tropa) went to Altenberger Dom for an alternative World Youth Day (WYD) celebration and joined the 350,000 pilgrims in Sydney in celebrating WYD08. It was a weekend of witnessing the spirit of the WYD (still) burning in the hearts of the youth in Germany.

Right before we met that Saturday (09.07.2008), the rain poured. It reminded me of the saying, "When it rains, it pours." Just a day before that, I have spoken to Fr. Silvio Vallecoccia , Jugendseelsorge for Foreign Mission in the Archdiocese of Cologne, and he has arranged our participation in Altenberg. He has told me that our entrance fee has already been taken cared of. The blessing had indeed poured!

Most of the participants showed up early at the Parkplatz Regal'sche Wiese, Bad Godesberg with all the excitement and the memories of WYD Cologne 05. On the way to Altenberg, we started the journey with a prayer and later on mingled with one another, sang songs while one is playing the guitar, shared experiences from the previous WYD.  We were all looking forward to that weekend.

As the group reached its destination and got off the bus, a volunteer warmly welcomed us.  One volunteer with a walkie-talkie was even overheard telling a colleague; "Die Filipinos sind da!" Yes, our arrival was expected. On the Registration Area, they have given us armbands, as our day ticket, and a bag with a songbook and larnyard as souvenirs.

Shortly after, we were also welcomed by Fr. Silvio.  He then happily led us in hall were the other youth were also sleeping explaining that this was a better option since camping outside could get too cold. He already mentioned this to me on our previous telephone conversation.  On top of that he also gave our youngest member, Bryce, aged 11 months, a warm and cozy room with bed for the night. Fr. Jun was very glad to know that the Tropa was very well treated as he came with KFC for our dinner.

continuation...