Salt + Light Media Menu
Salt + Light Media Home
Magnifying Glass
coverPhoto
Premium content

Asset title

Asset description

WYD08: “So this is what it feels like to be the Pope!”

Kris Dmytrenko

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Courtesy Getty Images
That's how International Liturgy Group leader Eden d'Souza described participating in the WYD Opening Mass procession. Carrying the Canadian flag, I too shared the experience of walking through the gate into the roaring crowd. I can tell you that it was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life, not to mention one of great pride for my country.
Surrounded by Catholics from every nation, I remembered how events like these cannot be adequately conveyed through statistics or even images. World Youth Day is a feeling.
As I walked towards the stage, I was delighted to see many maple leaf-adorned pilgrims sharing in that feeling. Canadian leadership was present, too. As you watch the Mass, keep an eye out for Archbishop Thomas Collins and Archbishop Richard Smith, heads of the Archdioceses of Toronto and Edmonton, respectively.
S+L will re-air the Opening Mass at 9 AM and 8 PM (Eastern Standard Time). Kicking off the broadcast, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's laudatory speech and the extraordinary Aboriginal musical/dance performance should not be missed.
Categories:


Related Articles:

Category: World Youth Day

Courageously Towards WYD Seoul 2027

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Salt + Light Media

September, 2024 saw two key "signposts" on the pilgrimage to World Youth Day Seoul 2027: the announcement of the theme and revealing of the logo.

Introducing Mother Mary to the world through cute merch

Monday, December 18, 2023

Maria Montemayor

Inklings of The Humble Servant Shop began when Diane Tchoi, 27, joined a World Youth Day (WYD) group from St. Agnes Kouying Tsao Parish that was going to Lisbon.

Rejoicing in Hope: Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the XXVIII World Youth Day

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Pope Francis

This past August I met hundreds of thousands of your contemporaries from all over the world who converged on Lisbon for World Youth Day.

“Next Gen” Ecumenism | One Body

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Julien Hammond

The recently concluded World Youth Day in Portugal (August 1-6, 2023) included a number of ecumenical and interreligious experiences, opportunities, and lessons that garnered praise and criticism in Catholic and non-Catholic circles alike.

Deacon-structing: Ten Words of WYD 2023 Part Two

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Deacon Pedro

This has truly been a World Youth Day of words. While the main theme prompts us to reflect on the verbs "to arise" and "to go with haste," many other words jumped out at me as well.

SUPPORT LABEL

Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Receive our newsletters
Stay Connected
Copyright © 2025 Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation
Registered Charity # 88523 6000 RR0001
FR | CH