WORLD YOUTH DAY 2002 - REFLECTIONS

A city transformed

April 2003

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The week of World Youth Day, I was able to experience the transformation of Toronto. The singing throngs of pilgrims invaded Toronto's transportation systems, making these places vibrantly energizing and even more multicultural.

One afternoon of that week, I had a delightful conversation with a young man named Carl, originally from India, who works in downtown Toronto. He was on his lunch break. He shared with me that WYD had changed the city. Every day he was meeting eager-to-chat pilgrims who bestowed unconditional 'niceness' to everyone. He said that his encounter with so many faith-filled youth made him reflect on his own faith.

Later that same day, I was travelling by bus to a Taizéervice at St. Paul's Basilica when one of the WYD volunteers struck up a conversation with me on the bus. Her name was Jennifer and it was wonderful to hear how her experience "hosting" a group of foreign pilgrims had enriched her life. We finished by attending and singing at the service together. Before parting, she gave me a friendship bracelet that I still wear, reminding me of the wonderful, spontaneous generosity that exists in this world.

Once back in Ecuador I could see how those few fortunate days 'with the world' gave me hope and renewed my spirit for mission. The future is looking bright. Many youth have understood God's message: We are the light of the world and salt for the earth. So, let's turn it on and shake it up.

Anne Quesnelle, ECUADOR

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