Knights Experience the Universality of the Church at World Youth Day

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College Knights kneel during the papal Mass July 20 at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney.

By Saturday, July 19, the three days of catechesis and youth festivals at World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney had concluded, and pilgrims looked forward to the main events at Randwick Racecourse.

First,  the college Knights of Columbus were among the 15,000 invited to a special outdoor Mass for U.S. pilgrims at the Domain, a large park adjacent to the Royal Botanical Gardens in downtown Sydney.

Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, was the principal celebrant of the Mass for the U.S. pilgrims, who had the largest international representation at WYD 2008.   Knights then joined the rest of the 235,000 pilgrims who made their way to Randwick, dubbed the Southern Cross Precinct, where they set up camp with tarps and sleeping bags.

In the early afternoon, concerts and testimonies could already be heard from the main stage, via the large speakers spaced throughout the massive field.   Despite their diversity, the pilgrims were “all speaking the common language of faith,” said Grover Green, past grand knight of University of St. Thomas Council 13940. “It was the most magnificent display of the universality of our Church I think I have ever experienced in my life.” 

Pope Benedict XVI arrived ahead of schedule for the 7 p.m. vigil, and caught many by surprise, and the Knights ran to the nearby barrier to see the Holy Father go by in the popemobile just a few yards away.

In addition to night prayer and a papal address, the vigil included a period of eucharistic adoration, during which the tens of thousands of pilgrims knelt together in silence.

“It was a very powerful and moving experience,” recalled Gregory Kinstetter, grand knight of University of Wyoming Council 10773.

Gradually, the pilgrims managed to get some sleep under the stars. While temperatures dipped to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit, most came prepared with extra blankets and warm clothing.

College Knights kneel and pray during a Mass July 19 for U.S. pilgrims to World Youth Day.

By sunrise, the Southern Cross Precinct was bustling again with activity, as people ate breakfast and excitedly awaited the papal Mass, for which more than 400,000 people would be present.

In light of the theme of WYD 2008 – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8) – Pope Benedict conferred the sacrament of confirmation on 24 candidates during the Mass before reflecting further on the theme in his homily.

 “This power, the grace of the Spirit, is not something we can merit or achieve, but only receive as pure gift,” the pope said.

“Being ‘sealed with the Spirit’ means not being afraid to stand up for Christ, letting the truth of the Gospel permeate the way we see, think and act, as we work for the triumph of the civilization of love,” he explained.

 At the conclusion of the Mass, Pope Benedict announced that the next international celebration of World Youth Day will take place in Madrid, Spain, in 2011.

Although World Youth Day had ended, pilgrims still filled the streets of Sydney throughout the next day.

On Monday afternoon, the Knights returned to the campus of Notre Dame University for a joyful conclusion of their pilgrimage. The Sisters of Life organized evening prayer and a eucharistic holy hour, followed by a barbecue for everyone who helped to make the Love and Life Site a success.