On the 18th of June 2022, a large crowd from different parishes of the Archdiocese of Harare gathered at Rockwood Spiritual, Pastoral & Formation Centre, to celebrate the local World Youth Day (WYD), which can be traced back in 1986 when Pope John Paul II established such an incredible global opportunity where young people can meet, share different life stories of discipleship and experience the universality of the church, so as to continually grow closer to the Lord in togetherness.
Over a hundred youth parishioners of the Archdiocese embraced their first ever gathering after the COVID-19 pandemic period and there is no doubt that any person who participated can testify the blessedness of this event. The event was really one of those unique days to remember, considering that it was my first time to attend a youth event at a larger scale.
It was graced by His Excellency, Papal Nuncio Paulo Rudelli Monsignor who officially launched the Journey to Lisbon Portugal for the World Youth Day which is going to take place in August 2023. He led the Holy Mass in company of Monsignor Felipe Fabiane, the Secretary to the Papal Nuncio, and Father Machibaya, the Spiritual Youths Director of the Archdiocese of Harare.
Prior to the Holy Mass, a couple from Norton Parish did a wonderful presentation about the WYD Cross/Young People’s Cross and the icon of Mary, Salus Populi Romani, Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Pope John Paul II handed the simple wooden Cross to young people in 1984 and he urged them to carry it around the world as a symbol of Christ’s love for humanity, and to proclaim the risen Lord, the only source of salvation and redemption. However, the Cross does not journey alone, from life to death; her Mother remained close to His Son, hence the icon of Blessed Virgin Mary always accompany the WYD Cross so as to remind the young pilgrimages that Mother Mary is always close to render her tender care. For more than 36 years, the Cross and the Salus Populi Romani have crossed a number of national borders, and we hope the icons will also land in Zimbabwe in the near future.
The Gospel Sermon by His Excellency was mainly centered on the 2023 World Youth Day Theme which was extracted from Luke’s Gospel, “Mary rose up and went with haste” (Luke 1:39). The Papal Nuncio encouraged the youths, who are so young to draw three lessons from Mary: Make haste, Rejoice and Praise. ‘As youths of now, you have to also rise courageously and in readiness, towards meeting all those who need help especially those in peripheries, through Evangelisation and Charity.
We are ought to share with others, the true joy that comes from the Lord. We should also learn to appreciate all those around us, with different gifts they received from the Lord, the fruitfulness of someone’s gift can have a potential to change our personal lives as well. It is during such moments where we encounter the presence of the Holy Spirit who inspires us to fully understand the wonder works of the Almighty God in our day to day lives, which then should help us to always praise and give thanks to Him”.
Before the final Blessing by His Excellency, the outgoing WYD taskforce was given an opportunity to share their experiences of previous global youth events they attended. Among them was Tendai, who arose with haste and in a joyous state, she emptied herself on how her life was transformed both physically and spiritually through a number of WYD celebrations. She encouraged her dear brethren to come up with the best strategies which can help many to invest both financially and spiritually towards the Journey to Lisbon in 2023.
The final helm of the event was made by Sister Kudzaishe, the Archdiocese of Harare Youth Coordinator. The young gave a warm round of applause as a humble way to express their gratitude to Sr Kudzaishe for dedicating herself to make such a wonderful day a success. Her closing remarks were accompanied by a short profound speech which became a food for thought to many.
“My dear brothers and sisters who are so young”, His Excellency continued, “Like Mary, let us all rise with haste, and embark on a journey to Lisbon, Portugal. l hope everyone has already started to prepare for the 2023 WYD and l also hope to see a large group of young pilgrimages from Zimbabwe. May we continue to journey together in solidarity, especially without forgetting those who live in marginalised societies. Receive the blessing of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit…..Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” ***TO GOD BE THE GLORY***