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Reflections of WYD08:

World Youth Day 08 has changed my life; how I value it, who I love, what I believe, my faith, and that I can no longer live another day without God on my mind. I grew close to many gorgeous people during WYD and I feel that I was truly blessed to have an experience and spiritual journey like this one. I gave myself a chance and let myself be taken away by the experience. The contrast between how I felt and what I believed before WYD and the present time is truly amazing, words cannot describe the difference. Thank you to all those who supported me and the Discovered Youth Group, and to all the beautiful people who I was able to live with for those ten days and to share in this life changing and enriching journey.
Kate Ross

World Youth day was really an experience and a half. It’s so hard to describe how the inspiring week felt for me. The most amazing thing is the happiness people displayed on the streets and the colourful pilgrims that blocked the roads. True love was displayed throughout the week where everyone gathers for one thing - to share in the love of God. I am so thankful for this uplifting pilgrimage and the strong relationships that were made and truly an experience that will be cherished for quite a long while. I’d like to thank all who made the pilgrimage what it was and for quenching some spiritual thirst, well at least until MADRID 2011!
Caroline Lansdell

Four lines about World Youth Day? A mere paragraph? Where do I start?
The following few lines are taken from the journal I was writing in during this time.
“My heart is beating so hear right no. My chest feels as though I have ran a hundred kilometres, although my breathing is not at all laboured. I have just said a prayer to Our Lady “under the title of Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Help of Christians, so that I might be a witness to [her] Son Jesus in the power of His Spirit”. This is the Power, which Jesus promised us just before he ascended into Heaven and the theme of WYD SYD 08 (Acts 1:8).
Kelly Clark

Too often are young people gathered in great numbers in the name of war. WYD, however, saw an army of 500,000 rally in the name of peace, love, and sacrifice. They truly followed the message of Christ in Acts 1:8 – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses.” The pilgrims had the power to overcome the obstacles before them and to travel to this distant land to be witnesses to Christs love on earth
Thomas Clarke

WYD08 for me was a beautiful, spiritual journey that I will keep with me for the rest of my life. It was so wonderful to see so many people around the world believe the same thing that I do, and the joy and love in the atmosphere was incredible.
Lisa Bennett

WYD was amazing, almost surreal! Everybody was so lively and energetic, despite our minimal sleep and dodgy pilgrim food. It was so uplifting seeing all those people from all over the world come together for God. I want to go back!
Jeremy Tucker

My experience of WYD was that you could just walk down the street, say hey and get a reply from other people. The Stations of the Cross really touched my heart. Just to see Jesus and the way he gave up his life for us and he would have to suffer through the hard times. My over all experience of WYD was that you could hang out with anyone and not get rejected by them.
Shanon Moss