World Youth Day in first person

Friday, Aug. 26, 2016

Victoria Landa-Steinau, a Judge Memorial Catholic High School graduate who is studying in China, attended World Youth Day 2016. Here is her account, in her own words.

I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to participate not only in World Youth Day but also in Magis this year. I went with Loyola University in a group of seven students and one leader. Because our group was so intimate and our leader placed a lot of trust in us as individuals, we had a lot of flexibility to tailor our WYD experience to our own wants and needs. This customization was crucial in shaping my personal experience in Poland. 

Our group was placed in a town a 90-minute train ride away from the city center of Kraków. That meant three hours on a train each day. These train rides were jam-packed with pilgrims (standing room only) and at the end of the train ride pilgrims would disembark the trains drenched in sweat because of little to no air conditioning (during the peak of summer heat).

There were often times when we would have to wait up to two hours for a train because the trains previous were so full. 

At first, these train rides were extremely frustrating but I soon found the beauty in sharing such an experience with other pilgrims. I left behind my standard of what a train ride should be and began to appreciate those with whom I was traveling. I met people from all ends of the earth and we would regularly have impactful conversations that still stick with me a month later. I am always amazed how shreds of humanity become known during miserable circumstances – such as these train rides. 

As one can imagine, spending time with the pope was absolutely magical. I was fortunate enough to see the pope during a papal audience in the Vatican City earlier this summer, but one would think he is a different person based on his demeanor during WYD. One of my favorite memories of WYD was the last day before the closing ceremony. The pilgrims camped out and when I awoke, I saw several heads turned in one direction and lots of excitement.

I clumsily got out of my sleeping bag and as I came to my senses, I recognized the pope making his way to the stage. I couldn’t help but smile. How cool is it that I got to wake up to seeing the pope?!

As English speakers, my group had to tune our radios to a translator while the pope spoke. Pope Francis is lively, inspiring, personable, and even humorous! I was touched when he began to talk specifically about us – the audience. He told us that we are protagonists of history and that we are an opportunity. He encouraged us to forget the couch potatoes and to invest our time in the people who are outside with their soccer cleats. He urged us to leave behind the walls of separation and to build bridges. He then went on to tell us that the most basic bridge is a handshake – and, yes, it is a risk to have your hand extended, but you cannot win without risk. 

To finish, he told us, “may the Lord bless your dreams.” 

Although WYD was trying at times, I am grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to attend. The experience in itself was good, but the people are what made it great.