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One of our pilgrims says...
From Abe Wenke: “Well, the gathering of the young Church together with the pope I’m sure will be very powerful. Also, making pilgrimages to the holy sites of Poland and the native country of Pope Saint John Paul the Great I know will be a very amazing experience for me”
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7 from St. Mary's attend World Youth Day in Poland
See our photo gallery page of photos sent from our pilgrims!
Six young people from St. Mary of the Angels parish along with their young adult minister traveled to Krakow, Poland to join hundreds of thousands of youth and young adults around the globe attending World Youth Day July 22 through August 2.
This delegation went on behalf of the parish community and with the community's blessing.
The international Catholic event, marked by prayer, music, and fellowship hosted youth from more than 175 countries around the world who got a chance to pray and worship with Pope Francis. The United States sentg 40,000 pilgrims, the largest delegation of U.S. pilgrims participating in a WYD outside of North America; most of the participants were young adults, ages 18-30. In addition, 85 U.S. bishops registered--the largest number of bishops attending a WYD celebration outside of North America.
The group from St. Mary of the Angels joined pilgrims from 16 other parishes traveling as a single group from the Diocese of Buffalo led by Most Rev. Richard Malone, Bishop of Buffalo. The youth attending with Ryan Butler, parish youth minister: Abram Wenke, Allen Smith, Kelly Smith, Gina Oldani, Marianna Worczak and Adam Cashimere. In the photo we see Fr. Greg and Fr. David and the congregation blessing pilgrims Allen Smith, Abe Wenke, Ryan Butler, and Kelly Sweet at the 11am Mass on July 17.
Bishop Malone is one of 13 U.S. bishops chosen to teach English-speaking pilgrims at WYD. He joined Cardinal Dolan (New York), Bishop Robert Barron (Los Angeles) and Cardinal Sean O'Malley (Boston) in this honor among the 13.
Ryan Ryan Butler notes:"It is an extraordinary time where we will be in solidarity with the whole church, and more importantly the opportunity to have personal encounter with Christ. From this experience it not about attending a certain function or part of the trip, but being able to be transformed and to use this transformation to the betterment of all, in small and large ways, back at home, back at the local church."
"World Youth Day is not just for teens but for young adults," he said. "In Europe, youth is a term that used for those who are not just in high school but those in college and in the workforce. The impact of the this trip, for our teens and young adults, is not about the phenomenon that takes place in Poland, but the impetus for creating transformation in powerful and meaningful ways. In other words World Youth Day provides an occasion to pass along this zeal, and a chance for our pilgrims to take it home with them."
World Youth Day events scheduled for the Diocese of Buffalo’s contingent in Poland will include visits to the famous Polish shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa, the Nazi death camp in Auschwitz and the Monastery of Saint Maximilian Kolbe. Events scheduled with Pope Francis include Stations of the Cross prayer service on July 29, an evening prayer vigil on July 30 and the closing Mass on July 31.
There will also be opportunities to gather with American pilgrims on July 27 during a special Mass with the bishops present from the United States. Throughout the week, pilgrims have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of expositions, concerts, dramas and other faith-based events throughout Krakow.
This year’s World Youth Day theme is “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” (Mt 5:7) As the event occurs during The Year of Mercy, it is even more providential that the epicenter of this year’s celebrations occur in Krakow, the very city where the popular devotion to the Divine Mercy blossomed in the 20th century.
Coverage of World Youth Day events can be found on EWTN via television broadcast and via the free EWTN app for smartphones and tablets linked at EWTNapps.com. St. Mary of the Angels will provide updates received from its contingent in Poland on this web site page.
World Youth Day was initiated by Saint Pope John Paul II in the mid 1980s and has been celebrated internationally every 2 to 3 years at a different city around the world with the reigning pope attending. -
OFFICIAL WORLD YOUTH DAY 2016 PRAYER
God, merciful Father, in your Son, Jesus Christ, you have revealed your love and poured it out upon us in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, We entrust to you today the destiny of the world and of every man and woman. We entrust to you in a special way young people of every language, people and nation: guide and protect them as they walk the complex paths of the world today and give them the grace to reap abundant fruits from their experience of the Krakow World Youth Day.
Heavenly Father, grant that we may bear witness to your mercy. Teach us how to convey the faith to those in doubt, hope to those who are discouraged, love to those who feel indifferent, forgiveness to those who have done wrong and joy to those who are unhappy. Allow the spark of merciful love that you have enkindled within us become a fire that can transform hearts and renew the face of the earth.
Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray for us.St. John Paul II, pray for us.
WYD USA OFFICIAL PRAYER
God our Father,
Be with us on our pilgrim journey of faith. Give us the grace and courage to step forward in faith and hope on the road ahead.Lord Jesus,
Open our eyes to see your face in all those we encounter.
Open our ears to hear your voice in those who are often ignored.
Open our hearts that we might be faithful disciples of mercy and truth.Holy Spirit,
Transform us. Empower us to give of ourselves to the poor; to welcome the lost; to forgive those who hurt us; to comfort those who suffer and are marginalized. Bless those who travel on mission from the United States of America to Krakow in Poland, Land of Divine Mercy, to join the universal Church for World Youth Day.Bless, too, those who celebrate stateside, united in faith and joy.
Like the disciples who journeyed up the mountain to witness the Transfiguration, may this experience be an encounter that strengthens us for our work in the world.
Through the intercession of Mary, the Immaculate Conception,
patroness of our nation, may we be worthy witnesses of our faith,
humble representatives of our country, and inspired missionaries
bringing peace, hope, and mercy into our communities. Amen.Saint James the Apostle, patron of pilgrim travelers, pray for us.
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, young faithful witness from our native land, pray for us.
Saint Therese of Lisieux, patroness of missionaries and advocate for youth, pray for us.
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, man of the beatitudes and patron of young adults, pray for us.
Saint John Paul II, son of Poland and patron of World Youth Day, pray for us.DIOCESE OF BUFFALO WORLD YOUTH DAY PILGRIMAGE PRAYER
GOD of all peoples,
You are gathering the nations to witness your glory at World Youth Day in 2016.
Call your pilgrims from the Buffalo Diocese Especially those whose faith is unsure,
Embolden those who fear and worry,
Protect all your pilgrims and help them to accept hardships in the spirit of the Beatitudes.
Bless our hosts, the people of Poland, with peace.
Inspire our planning as we lead the young people of Western NY closer to the Sacred Heart of Your Son. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Lady of Czestochowa, pray for us.
St. Stanislaus Kostka, pray for us.
St. Casimir, pray for us.
St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us.
St. Faustina Kowalska, pray for us.
Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko, pray for us.
St. John Paul the Second, pray for us. - See more at: http://www.buffalodiocese.org/youthyoungadult/planning-your-pilgrimage#sthash.ED5CP6lA.dpuf