Hello Fr John,

 Just a quick response to your mixed feelings about WYD: 

- I had stopped reading articles about the pope until the start of WYD. 

- I have always imagined how wonderful it would be for youths from all over the world to celebrate mass together.  I started to follow the news about WYD and was thrilled to see how many people are excited about seeing the pope.  There is a clear desire for love and hope from everyone there.  The CNN reported how the streets were filled with youths speaking different languages!

- the fact that it's being held in Brazil makes it possible for more youth from Latin America to participate.  It would be very expensive for them to travel to other parts of the world such as Europe or Australia.

- I love to see the joyful faces of all those present, from the children to the adults, all yearning for hope and love

- for a big event like this cost is very difficult to control, and I believe God desire it to be good - He is not worried about it being an expensive exercise.  God is a God of abundance.  The whole event gives Brazil a lot of economic gains.  People flock into Brazil from various parts of the world - the people of Brazil are to gain with a lot of revenue.  It creates jobs and hope for everyone. 

- life is full of sorrows, a few days of happiness when you are young or when it gives you hope is important to keep us going.  People will reflect after the event.  What is important is how people feel during the event.  Surely God does not want to see people there with a sad face. The joy of these people is also the joy of God - He wants us to be happy.

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God bless all those present at WYD - may this bode well for a healthier generation for the whole world.  May WYD give people something good to remember and something good to look forward to and to work on. 

God bless,

R.

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