Hi to everyone at English Martyrs Year 8 and a big thank you for coming to the Youth Village ( between 27 September to 1 October)!

Did you enjoy your 1-night stay here? What are the messages you will take with you? What do you remember the most?
Share with us your thoughts. We’d like to hear from you.

Hi to everyone at St. John’s Year 8 Bishop Auckland and a big thank you for coming to the Youth Village this week!

Did you enjoy your 2-night stay here? What are the messages you will take with you? What do you remember the most?
Share with us your thoughts. We’d like to hear from you.

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FACTS AND HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY

1. 178 young people and group leaders journeyed to London to meet the Pope (one of the biggest youth delegations)
2. The journey started the night before as we travelled from various points at around 10pm.
3. Reached London at 6.30am.
4. Waited patiently, with a couple of spontaneous cheering and chanting for 3 1/2 hours before the start of the Papal Mass at Westminster Cathedral.
5. Rebecca Smith, a pupil from St Anthony’s Girl’s School, represented the youth of the diocese at the Papal Mass inside the Cathedral, the rest of us, with the 2,500 young people from all over the country, participated at the Piazza
6. After the Mass, Pope Benedict greeted the young people outside the Cathedral
7. A Candle Stand, designed by YMT Creative Artist Xavier Javier, was presented to the Holy Father. This Candle Stand will be adapted as the new national symbol for catholic youth ministry in England and Wales. A miniature replica of the symbol has been given to each of the diocese in the country.
8. After the Mass, all young people walked in procession from Westminster Cathedral to Hyde Park.
9. Picnic at Hyde Park, each youth pilgrim received a packed lunch of Cheese Sandwich, Tomato Pasta, Bottle of Water, 2 Crisps, a slice of cake, a flapjack, and an apple.
10. Entered the ‘golden circle’ of the Hyde Park at around 2pm for pre-vigil activities…  ’golden circle’ means you have chair
11. More than Dance, a youth dance group from our diocese led by Kevin and Oonagh Atkinson, performed during the pre-vigil event
12. The Diocesan Youth Council represented the diocese at the procession of banners… welcomed by Bishop Seamus.
13. Declan Stokle, a pupil from St Mary’s Newcastle, spoke in front of thousands of people at Hyde Park about his dream that one day the people of Burma will be liberated and free to live like us in the United Kingdom. He received a huge ovation from the audience.
14. The Holy Father arrived at around 6pm for the Vigil which lasted for 1 1/2 hours.
15. Walked from Hyde Park to Green Park Tube Station then took tube from Green Park to Cockforster where Gillingham Coaches is waiting for Pilgrims to return to the North East.
16. Left London 10pm.
17. Got back before 6am.
18. Went to bed.
19. Woke up mid-day.
20. Wondered, ‘Did I just met the Pope yesterday?

IMAGES OF THE DAY

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MESSAGES OF THE DAY

Please tell us about your own personal experiences on the pilgrimage to Westminster Cathedral and Hyde park. What was your highlight of the day? What message did you take from the speeches and Homilies of the Holy Father? Did the pilgrimage affect you in any way? as a Catholic? As a young person?

Please indicate in your message below if you are a young person or an adult. We also welcome posters from other parts of the country and the world on your thoughts the last four days.

MORE HERE:

St. Robert of Newminster, Morpeth Youth shares their story here.

Hi to everyone at St. Aidan’s Year 9 and a big thank you for coming to the Youth Village this week!

Did you enjoy your 2-night stay here? What are the messages you will take with you? What do you remember the most?
Share with us your thoughts. We’d like to hear from you.

[Show as slideshow]

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