WYD Krakow: Day 7

Last night's candlelight prayer with the pope, overnight vigil in Misericordia Park, and the concluding celebration of the Eucharist this morning served as the culmination of our time together as World Youth Day 2016 pilgrims in Krakow, Poland.

Pope Francis encouraged all of us gathered in the park - 1.5 million - to "take the path of the "craziness" of God, who teaches us to meet Him in the hungry, the thirsty, the migrant." The pope also called us to get off of our "comfortable sofas" of indifference, self-doubt, and fear. Instead, we are to wear "soccer cleats...to be starters, not reserve players" in serving others and spreading the Good News of God's mercy.

Our time together as pilgrims has ended. However, we have been summoned to return to our homes, our parishes, our dioceses, and our countries as renewed missionary disciples of mercy. We have been called to more than just mere mediocrity and indifference. Rather, the pope has invited all of us - but especially the young Church - to follow Jesus, "the Lord of risk, the Lord of the eternal more."

This "more" involves puting ourselves out there to encounter others, to risk our security, comfort, and reputation. In following Jesus, the "Lord of risk" in this way, we will also encounter our truest and most free selves. Emptied of all pretense and fear, we then begin to receive the "other" no longer as stranger, but as beloved friend.

In loving and serving each other in mercy, we also discover how it is that God truly sees and totally loves us. This is the enduring gift of following Jesus, the "Lord of risk."

WYD Krakow: Day 6

"Be protagonists of service!"

After praying the Stations of the Cross on Friday evening in Blonia Park, Pope Francis called on the pilgrims to imitate the selfless example of Jesus, telling us to be "protagonists of service." This year's Stations of the Cross at World Youth Day were matched with the seven corporal works and spiritual works of mercy.

Our true meaning and purpose in life is found in the Cross of Christ, for the Cross is the sign of God's selfless love and mercy. When we commit ourselves to Christ, we are also committing ourselves to seeing Jesus in the hungry, the thirsty, the ill, the doubting, the ignorant, and the dead. And after seeing Jesus, we respond with concrete works of merciful service.

Now, we leave for Misericordia Park, where the pilgrims will gather in vigil before tomorrow's concluding Mass with the pope. Tomorrow morning, we will share in the feast of mercy - the Eucharist - and then be sent out once again as "protagonists of service."

WYD Krakow: Day 5

The excitement continues to build here in Krakow, Poland. Pope Francis is now in the city. There is an electric energy buzzing amongst the pilgrims attending this World Youth Day. Something is happening. The Spirit is at work.

As the WYD pilgrims gathered in Blonia Park this evening to hear the pope's opening talk, I couldn't help but notice all of the different faces, languages, flags, chants, ages, and characters that were joyfully marching through the streets of Krakow. The sound of a million footsteps on the pavement reminded me of a street revolution.

Yet, the echo of these steps taken by the pilgrims are not those of rioters, armies, violent protesters, or disillusioned youth. Rather, we march forward in the way of peace, knowing that we've first been shown mercy and are thus called to share God's mercy.

Perhaps those of us gathered here on pilgrimage are starting a worldwide revolution...a revolution of tenderness, love, and mercy.

WYD Krakow: Day 4

"Today," quoted the nun from the Congegation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, "today is the day of mercy.  Now is the time for mercy!"

This sister, from the same religious order as Saint Faustina, reminded those of us gathered in the chapel of adoration at the Krakow Arena that Jesus is the well-spring of mercy. In Jesus alone do we encounter mercy. Together, a massive group of pilgrims then prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, reciting over and over again: "have mercy on us and on the whole world."

Even now, as I read various depressing and horrific headlines in the news, I still feel great hope in this message of mercy. Millions of peaceful pilgrims are converging upon Krakow to discover once again the saving power of God's mercy. I am reminded of my own daily need of the Lord's gentle compassion and mercy. I then am called to respond, to go and do likewise.

This isn't simply a pious thought, but a real challenge! When I am hungry, irritable, and waiting in line for food amongst thousands of disorganized pilgrims, how do I express mercy? I have missed many opportunities to be the face of God's mercy for others during this pilgrimage.

Still, there is no time to delay...the time for mercy is now!

WYD Krakow: Day 3

While we were touring Wieliczka, a famous salt mine outside of Krakow, I came to realize that one of the many gifts possessed by the Poles is their ability to transform the ordinary and the mundane into something quite beautiful. The mine itself, with its various statues and carvings (including a functioning chapel) etched out of salt, is one such example of the ability of our Polish hosts to appreciate, discover, and create beauty in the world.

The opening mass for World Youth Day that was celebrated this evening was filled with inexpressible beauty. In a rather ordinary park, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered as the Body of Christ. Various letters and words formed melodic prayers and hymns of praise in Polish, French, Latin, and English. Strangers from all over the world were brought together in a colorful mosaic of language and culture. Very basic gifts of bread and wine were transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. 

I cannot put into words the overwhelming sense of beauty I experienced during that opening liturgy. This is a mystery of my heart. But I suppose what had stirred within me was a deep gratitude for the very tangible ways in which God shares all that is good and beautiful and wonderful:

God's beauty is present in the diverse faces of all those pilgrims gathered from all over the world; God's beauty is alive in the faith of my fellow pilgrims from the Scranton Diocese; the gift of God's beauty is also given in surprising ways, such as when my friend Tom E. from Michigan found me in a crowd yesterday by throwing his orange Peruvian hat at me. And of course, what is more beautiful than the gaze of Jesus, the very gaze of God's mercy? 

WYD Krakow: Days 1 & 2

The beginning of our trip to Poland was delayed for several hours due to a malfunctioning  air conditioner on the plane. While we sat on the tarmac at JFK - perhaps a little hot, tired, and frustrated - a toddler began to cry. More accurately, this baby had an atomic breakdown. Poor kid! All I could do was laugh at our situation and remember not to take anything too seriously. Thanks be to God, our plane eventually took off (and our little friend fell asleep.)

We made it to Warsaw Airport and began our drive south to Krakow. The landscape of Poland is beautiful and reminded several of us of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Our group was fortunate enough to celebrate Mass in the Sanctuary of Mary, Mother of Mercy in Skarzysko-Kamienna. The pastor showed us extreme hospitality. This priest lived out the work of mercy, of welcoming the stranger. It was a wonderful way to begin our pilgrim journey in Poland.

Today, we traveled to the Auschwitz death camp where more than one million Jews, Poles, Roma, and Soviet POW's were put to death. The compound at Auschwitz-Birkenau was massive and systematically laid out. How could human beings cause such suffering?! I prayed that I may always be a person who espouses the way of peace. No more violence. No more hatred. Only love.

Our group then traveled to the Shrine of John Paul II and the Shrine of Divine Mercy. At Auschwitz we remembered the destruction that humankind is capable of. But at these holy places, we remembered that God's love and mercy is greater than any human evil or sin.

Pilgrimage of Peace

Peace be with you!

In a few short hours, I will be en route from JFK Airport in New York to Poland with a group of pilgrims from the Diocese of Scranton. Together, we will join the global Catholic Church in celebrating World Youth Day with our Holy Father, Pope Francis.

Nearly two-million pilgrims from all over the world will converge on Krakow, Poland to visit, explore, worship and pray at various shrines and churches. The stories of Polish saints Pope John Paul II, Maximilian Kolbe, and Sister Faustina will be told once again. Many of us unfamiliar with this eastern European country will discover a strong, vibrant people and culture.

Most important, we will encounter the Lord Jesus and his mercy on our pilgrim way.

As I prepare to depart for this nine-day pilgrimage in Poland, I am keeping my heart open to all that I will see and experience. Moreover, I am choosing to make this pilgrimage in a spirit of peace. All around us, the world seems to be embroiled in partisan conflicts and violence. Yet, for these next nine days, the young Church will be a witness to the world of God's abiding love, unity, reconciliation, and peace.

Please pray for me! Pray for the pilgrims!
And know that I keep my family and friends, our nation and world, the Church, all the children of Abraham, and every person of good will in my prayers.

Peace be with you!