(ANS – Rio de Janeiro)– World Youth Day is reaching its highpoint with the Prayer Vigil and concluding Mass at Copacabana. These are the final events of the 38th WYD. On Friday, 26 July, the young people attended the final catechism lessons, and took part in the Via Crucis along the beach atCopacabana.
It has been very interesting just to walk the streets of Rio de Janeiro these days. You meet young people from many different countries. Goods of all kinds are being bartered – caps, t-shirts, gadget, flags, even holy pictures (including some of Laura Vicuña and Zephyrinus Namuncurá). People make new acquaintances on public transport, in the rest rooms, or during the long periods of waiting for the major events to begin.
Yesterday, with the advantage of fine weather, many climbed the Corcovado mountain to visit the statue of the Risen Christ. Many chose to do so on foot. Even the Rector Major, with some members of the Council, made the same choice. It is interesting to watch Fr Chávez these days!
It often happens that he is recognised by young people from the Salesian Youth Movement, past pupils, religious, journalists and even Bishops. Then he has to stop. There is a friendly, cheerful word from the Rector Major, and a photo, or several photos, depending on the number in the group, a blessing, and, in the case of journalists, an interview. And this ritual is repeated every few minutes!
There is always time for storytelling. Little snippets of stories come out that show how well known Don Bosco is, and the good work the Salesians are doing in different parts of the world.
Belen Aires is a girl from the Salesian House at Sucre, Bolivia, taking part for the first time in the WYD. She saw the Rector Major on the beach at Copacabana and ran towards him saying, “I am very excited and enthusiastic about the day we had on 24 July when I met young people from the SYM from other countries, and I met you for the first time. I am happy to be taking part in WYD and to meet the Pope. I believe it is the greatest gift God has given me so far in my life.”
Gabriel is a past pupil of the school at Sesto San Giovanni in Italy. He met Alessandra at the WYD in Sydney. They took part as an engaged couple at the one in Madrid. Now, married just a few days ago, they are spending their honeymoon here at the WYD in Rio de Janeiro. “WYD has been very significant in our lives so we decided to come here again. It has been wonderful meeting the successor of Don Bosco at the statue of Christ on Corcovado. I heard people talking about him when I was at school in Sesto, and now I have met him here!”
Carlos has never been to a Salesian school, but he knows the sons of Don Bosco because he is a regular reader of the Brazilian Salesian Bulletin. He uses it to help him in the work he does in his parish of Ji-Paraná, in the state of Rondônia. He wanted to tell his story to the Rector Major and then to introduce his friend Cesar.
Many other groups of young people, as well as many priests and religious, approached the Rector Major to greet him and express their appreciation.
Published 27/07/2013
