World Youth Day is not over, it moves into a new phase full of possibilities. The challenge is to enjoy the memories and experiences of travelling to and from Rio and for some pilgrims to ask themselves these questions: as a result of this pilgrimage, what has changed in me? What do I want to do as a result?
Some pilgrims will feel a sense of transformation, experiencing their faith in God and the Church in a new perspective. I hope that Columban missionaries might be able to assist pilgrims to take the experience further through discussion and reflection.
Many pilgrims were happy with the programme they followed in Santiago, Chile, on the way to Rio. They met local Chilean parishioners in Columban parishes, materially poor people, who were their hosts and proud to be receiving ANZ pilgrims into their parishes. They cooked meals, danced, prayed, shared the Holy Eucharist together, sharing their common Catholic faith in cultural ways that were similar and very different.( Australians are not much given to national dances).
An exchange between peoples is very worthwhile because it is always rich in human content. For young and older pilgrims from ANZ it was an opportunity to see real poverty on a large scale, something they have never seen before. Nothing is better than seeing for yourself. I would be surprised if some of the pilgrims were not shocked. Invariably a question arises about how can people be happy in these surroundings? It is always a good question. One part of the answer might be that people who are materially poor often have to struggle together to ‘get through’, they need each other more than we do in our more affluent countries. But I would not want to romanticise poverty.
The opportunity for people to host pilgrims from other countries even though they are poor is a cause for tremendous excitement. How often we believe that we have to be the givers and poor people the receivers. Yet the opposite is even more true – the pride in being able to host strangers on pilgrimage! No one can take this wonderful experience from the Chileans.
Where to from here? Perhaps some ANZ groups would like to return. For example, a group from a parish could follow a similar programme or not necessarily to the same parishes. It is really about sharing who we are in mutual respect, it is not about richer people assisting poorer people but sharing our faith. Praying together brings us together. Constructive imaginations make many new possibilities. It is unlikely that any of these Chilean people would ever get to Australia or New Zealand because they don’t have the money and probably would not get a visa.
Most pilgrims will complain less about their lot in life at least for awhile. What was learned in Chile can be applied to our Australian or New Zealand situations. It is easier to make a difference at home. Lots of questions arise: why are so many people in Chile poor? Surely it cannot be because they have all ‘made bad choices’? Of course not!
World Youth Day is not over. A new phrase of possibilities is opening up. Our task as Columbans is to provide a forum for the pilgrims who experienced the Mission Experience in Chile in which they can answer the questions in their minds and hearts. This is being on mission.
Fr Gary Walker
director@columban.org.au
 |
LISTEN TO: From the Director - Where to from here (Duration: 4.45mins, MP3, 2.16MB) |