My daughter is at WYD as I write this. While I admit to grave doubts at the direction in which Pope Francis seems to want to take the Church, and my heart sank when I read Bishop Aguiar's denial that conversion to Christ is the goal of WYD, I am nevertheless hopeful that daughter will grow in faith, hope and love as a result of this pilg…
My daughter is at WYD as I write this. While I admit to grave doubts at the direction in which Pope Francis seems to want to take the Church, and my heart sank when I read Bishop Aguiar's denial that conversion to Christ is the goal of WYD, I am nevertheless hopeful that daughter will grow in faith, hope and love as a result of this pilgrimage. I can assure you, Graham, that (like the Chartres pilgrims, whom I respect greatly) we paid our own way and participated in many fundraisers over two years in order to fund the trip. I can also assure you that all the young people attending from our small diocese are actively practicing Catholics who are at Mass every Sunday and active in other Church ministries as well. My daughter has gone to Mass every day since she left home July 25 and to confession at least once as well. She has received solid catechesis while in Portugal, prayed the rosary each day and experienced the universality of our beloved Church. The pilgrims have stayed in very Spartan accommodations and anticipate walking at least 20 miles (to the closing Mass and back)--not 63 miles, but not too shabby either. I urge you not to write off these experiences as worthless. If she has an opportunity to participate in the Chartres pilgrimage, I would urge her to do that as well. I love the Latin Mass and attend from time to time, but know dear brother in Christ that there is faith in the rest of the Church and in WYD as well.
My daughter is at WYD as I write this. While I admit to grave doubts at the direction in which Pope Francis seems to want to take the Church, and my heart sank when I read Bishop Aguiar's denial that conversion to Christ is the goal of WYD, I am nevertheless hopeful that daughter will grow in faith, hope and love as a result of this pilgrimage. I can assure you, Graham, that (like the Chartres pilgrims, whom I respect greatly) we paid our own way and participated in many fundraisers over two years in order to fund the trip. I can also assure you that all the young people attending from our small diocese are actively practicing Catholics who are at Mass every Sunday and active in other Church ministries as well. My daughter has gone to Mass every day since she left home July 25 and to confession at least once as well. She has received solid catechesis while in Portugal, prayed the rosary each day and experienced the universality of our beloved Church. The pilgrims have stayed in very Spartan accommodations and anticipate walking at least 20 miles (to the closing Mass and back)--not 63 miles, but not too shabby either. I urge you not to write off these experiences as worthless. If she has an opportunity to participate in the Chartres pilgrimage, I would urge her to do that as well. I love the Latin Mass and attend from time to time, but know dear brother in Christ that there is faith in the rest of the Church and in WYD as well.