World Youth Day in Köln, Germany

9/1/05 - Charlie Samson

A single star to show them the way.

Is it a dream that the three Wise Men found Jesus, the Newborn King of the Jews, by following the light of a single star?

Is it a dream that the twelve apostles single-handedly built the Church by following the example of a single star who was the Way, the Truth, and the Life?

Is it a dream that over one million young people from roughly 193 countries, along with 10,000 plus priests, 800 bishops, and over 5,000 Seminarians assembled in an open field because they were following the light of Pope Benedict XVI, a single star?

A single star to show them the way.

Just as the three Wise Men found Jesus, and the twelve Apostles built the Church, by following the light of a star, so too will all who participated in World Youth Day 2005 in Köln (Cologne), Germany, find Jesus and rebuild his Church with youthful enthusiasm by following Christ’s mission of love.

As one of those 5,000 Seminarians privileged with the opportunity to participate in this World Youth Day, I hope that I can forever remember the experiences in which I participated with thousands of other young people. I hope that I will live the message of Pope Benedict’s homily in which he echoed the late Pope John Paul II: “Be not afraid!”

I hope that I can always recall my time with my host family in Holland, whose hospitality surpasses any of my previous conceptions of warmth and openness. I hope that I will always be able to picture the beauty of Holland and Germany, where in many places stunningly beautiful church towers are seen at every other street corner. More than anything else, I hope and pray that because of this pilgrimage, I will find the strength to transform myself and my way of life so that I will be a ‘star,’ guiding people to Christ by my shining example.

A single star to show them the way.