21 Sep 2016
Here comes everybody!
It was a real privilege to join the Youth 2000 team in England for their preparations in the run up to the Conquerers Festival in Walsingham. Each year 1,500 young people journey from all over the UK to sing, pray, attend workshops and play tug of war together – as you do.
Some festivals can be too serious!?!
All this doesn’t just happen and the organising team was on site a week in advance anticipating every challenge and preparing the way. We spent days moving food boxes, setting up tables and sorting out the sound system in the Big Top. Each night we had a time of Adoration, so as to ground everything we did in prayer.
The Eucharist is a central part of the weekend
Eventually Thursday arrived along with the first of our groups. There was a real sense of anticipation and excitement. As the first buses and cars start to pull up and the people offload we move into overdrive. We began with a talk about God’s love for us and our search for Him, followed by Mass with Fr. Stephen Wang. Then it was tents up and hair down for a relaxed evening renewing old friendships and making new ones.
Hanging out with others is another essential part of Walsingham
Friday was all about getting to know God better, starting with our morning talk ‘Who do you say that I am.’ Small groups are an essential part of the faith sharing for the young people and they allow them to really express their hopes, questions and above all themselves. That evening dozens of priests took part in the Reconciliation Service, which emphasises the mercy and compassion of God for all of us. For me it’s the highlight of the Festival.
Now this is Mass
Saturday is the biggest day, with the largest crowd. We were going to walk the Holy Mile to Walsingham for Mass in the Abbey, but the weather was rough and Cristina made the call. We were staying put. Regardless we had a lovely celebration lead by Bishop Alan Hopes, who was as always gentle and inspiring. Saturday night is an opportunity for the young people to encounter the healing presence of God through a prayer service around the Blessed Sacrament.
The Youth 2000 Festival is a real blessing
Before you know it we’re at Sunday and I need to head off following the afternoon workshops. I’m going to be working on the Camino for two weeks and I still need to do the laundry and buy a sleeping bag – the last one got left behind by one of the young people in Krakow! All in all it’s a powerful week of prayer, service and faith with the Youth 2000 team. It was a blessing to be a part of it.