WHEN I first found out about the offer of sponsorship to attend World Youth Day I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to go.
When my campus minister at school, David Jorna, found out that I wasn’t going to apply, he approached me and explained to me the opportunities that World Youth Day offered.
I realised that it would just be silly for me not to even apply.
As time rolled on, I found out more and more about World Youth Day and I became more and more open to the idea.
Then one day during assembly my principal read out that I was among three students from my school selected to go.
Thinking I had never had a chance of being selected, I burst into uncontrollable tears and probably scared my two travelling companions. This was the beginning of a very emotional adventure.
Being so ecstatic and excited about going, I had no expectations about the events of World Youth Day, as just being able to go was good enough for me.
I was at a time in my life that I’m sure many 16-year-olds have been through, where I really didn’t know who I was or where I stood in the world.
I felt lost and vulnerable after a hard couple of years and hoped that getting away could give me the chance I needed to provoke myself out of my shell.
The most memorable day for me whilst in Germany was probably the most exposing time for me while away.
To the group of direct pilgrims, it’s remembered as “The Wall” – a battle of stubbornness between the fearless Aussies who stood bravely to protect our location on the wall to see the arrival of the Pope and the multitudes who were insistent on getting over the wall, despite exclamations of “No! It’s too dangerous”.
I found it very hard to say “No!” to the many people who wished to get over the wall and found myself overwhelmed by the aggression of people as we finally let them over, fearing for our safety.
Later that day we journeyed to the Dom (cathedral).
Along the way there were numerous scriptural quotes set up over the path for us to reflect on before reaching the cathedral and these, together with the events of the day, caused all of us to think about our actions.
There were a lot of thoughts in my mind and my exhaustion was not helping my emotions as we came over the hill to see the massive cathedral.
I was so overwhelmed by its beauty that I let go of everything that was inside me and bawled my eyes out and snivelled my nose throughout the whole visit.
That day has shown me that I am so incredibly small in this enormous world, yet I am still a part of it with the ability of affecting people’s lives both positively and negatively.
I went to Germany looking for myself, but realised along the way that I was never lost in the first place.
Kaytlin Warner
Student, Carmel College, Thornlands
