World Youth Day - Australian's foster spirit of Pilgrimage

+ Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney
28 Jul 2002

The Holy Father Pope John Paul II arrived on Wednesday, 82 years of age, sick and frail, but with his spirit undaunted. The witness he is now able to give, persevering in his teaching and travel despite his radical decline in health, is very different from his dynamism, energy and eloquence 20 years ago. But a new generation of young people probably loves him more than their elder brothers and sisters did in his heyday. Suffering and perseverance also give powerful witness, especially to those who believe in redemption through the cross.

The young people streaming in groups across Toronto are pilgrims, not tourists. They are not spoilsports, as Catholics know how to enjoy themselves.

Last Sunday night the Sydney group had a marvellous evening at a traditional Sugar Shack just outside Quebec among the French speakers. A was not looking forward to having maple syrup with every course of my meal. But a couple of great musicians and the good humour of our pilgrims transcended language barriers and there was a wonderful evening of singing, dancing and music.

It is expensive to travel these distances, and many people in different parishes and groups worked hard to sponsor individuals. Their efforts have been rewarded.

Older people are sometimes tempted to criticise the young, perhaps unknowingly jealous of their youth. And old acquaintance of mine, since deceased, was sceptical of this: "What's in the cat comes out in the kitten" she used to remark wisely.

We have a great group of youngsters, who have supported one another and entered enthusiastically into all the activities from prayer and worship to sightseeing and enjoying themselves. In every way they are signs of hope for the future.

All the great religions have traditions of pilgrimage. Even in Christ's time many Jews came from surrounding countries to Jerusalem for feasts such as Passover. From the earliest years Christians have been pilgrims especially to the shrines of the apostles, as second century graffiti near the tomb of St Peter in the excavated cemetery in the Vatican testify.

Pope John Paul II was criticised heavily 24 years ago when he announced his ambition to strengthen the tradition of pilgrimage, so strong in Europe but non-existent within Australia (although many of us go overseas for secular or religious pilgrimage, to London for the cricket or Wimbledon or to Lourdes or Rome).

Pilgrims always go on a journey, with new sights and new people to meet, seeking spiritual refreshment, perhaps deeper insights and hoping to encounter God, to deepen their spirituality. When these goals are pursued seriously they are often attained. "Catholic" comes from the Greek word for universal and it is good for our young people to encounter other types of Catholicism, such as the French tradition with its magnificent shrines to St Joseph and St Anne and to be accepted by their peers from around the world as part of one huge Christian family.

It helps us all understand a bit better why the German poet Goethe wrote: "the conscience of Europe is formed on pilgrimage."