WYD08 - Cross and Icon

Sunday, July 1st 2007

WYD CROSS & ICON ARRIVAL IN SYDNEY

July 1st Through My Eyes

I am not sure how I ended up journeying with the Cross and Icon yesterday, besides Anh Loc repeatedly refusing to ask someone else to do it, but it was a day I can hardly describe.

Nevertheless... I will attempt to do so because I wanted each and every one of you there with me, and this is the only way I can think of for now.
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I never felt so good waking up @ 5am before. It was off to St Mary's for a bus to take us to the Qantas Hangar at Sydney airport.

* Handover & Media Launch @ Qantas Hangar
I saw the WYD Cross & Icon for the first time when they were carried off the plane, accompanied by the Maori song from our New Zealander friends. I was in a group of ~9 Aussie delegates to receive the Cross & Icon from the New Zealanders during the Handover. We all weren't too sure what to do, but when we touched the Cross, all just...flowed. I was at the base of the Cross, but I felt no weight really - being so short, everyone else was bearing the weight for me hahah!

I stood next to this international symbol of faith while Bishop Anthony Fisher (co-ordinator of WYD08) gave his speech. With its scratches and dents from a life of travelling the world, I understood why the Cross is the most beautiful symbol of the Church for the Catholic youth of today.

I saw the Prime Minister, shook hands with Morris Iemma and cheered with everyone else while photographers crazier than I couldn't stop clicking.

* Mass @ Mary MacKillop Place
Mary MacKillop Place is so cool!

The ceremony was performed to ask Saint Mary MacKillop to look over the Cross & Icon as they began their journey throughout Oz. It was a small, crowded and personal mass, really lovely. The most moving moment was when Sophie Delezio was led to the Cross to venerate. (Sophie is the little burns victim who is said to have received blessings from St Mary MacKillop.)

Here, by lucky accident, a few of my new friends and I got to venerate even though delegates weren't supposed to venerate yet!

I squeezed in a literal 2 minutes for lunch before embarking on the Delegates' Pilgrimage Walk to Tumbalong.

* Delegates' Pilgrimage Walk
My first time walking on the Harbour Bridge! And never had I imagined that I would be led by the Cross and Icon as I did so!

Between some dozen Aussie delegates and ~20 New Zealanders, we shared the carrying of the Cross & Icon during this 2 hour Walk. Naturally, everybody was jumping up and down for their turn, but there was no fighting! Everyone was just so nice. I got my go with the Icon first, and then with the Cross. Also didn't miss out on the flag-waving!

The Icon was surprisingly more difficult to carry =) It is an image of Mary and her Son, encased in glass. Everyone happily got wrist-strain after this undertaking. We were familiar with the Cross by then, so the Cross was not in the least bit awkward to carry - it was just simply a buzz to do so. I was very lucky because I got to do both these tasks while we were on the Bridge.

And then walking into Tumbalong Park with everyone, hearing "Behold the Cross", the song I absolutely adore - I am still amazed at this adventure.

* Tumbalong Park
Did they say 7000 were there? Thank you for waiting for the Cross & Icon, and me. I was just SO HAPPY when I saw you guys! I began screaming when I saw Amy and Chau, and continued screaming as I saw a few more of you guys. Anh Hoa, I sincerely apologise for almost suffocating you as I hugged you.

Sorry I had to run off so quickly because, as usual, I was one of the last to get there hahah. I remember hi-fiving strangers and smiling a lot as I weaved down that central aisle towards the stage. Each time I saw someone from our community, I was just so lifted.

We clapped along to the Aboriginal dance, cheered on the Hakka and heard the Bishop's inspiring talk again.

However, the defining moment was when I venerated for the second time yesterday. It was contradictory, but I felt both proud and humbled. I was so incredibly proud to represent the Vietnamese Catholic Community and its youth. Now, I know that I will always carry our community in my heart. But as I bowed down in front of the Cross, I felt incredibly humbled to be able to touch this symbol that has instilled hope, love and peace in so many who have been hopeless, desolate or lost across this world. This Cross is so much more important, and much greater, than I realised before.

* Mass @ St Mary's
It was PACKED! We sat on the floor… Go, chi Quyen!! I was so impressed by her ability to do Prayers of the Faithful without even a tremble in her voice - in front of all those Bishops and priests and people! Equally impressive was the Plumpton effort - they stayed for mass despite the distance from home.
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Everyone, thank you for being at the Park. I heard it was a bit long and a bit cold? I hope you had a really great day though. Although I didn't really get to see you, I appreciated your presence very much. Always remember that whatever I do, I think of you all. For those who couldn't attend, wish you were there!

I am still extremely excited because the Cross and Icon will be coming to our Community on Dec 14th! I CANNOT WAIT TO CARRY THE CROSS WITH YOU ALL! IT'LL BE YOUR TURN!

P.S. I also got to meet Gary Pinto, co-writer of the "Behold The Cross" song! He is the nicest, most down-to-earth guy. Here's the link for the song if anyone wants to watch it again (it's the one we played during our monthly mass):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2qo_oAwIP8

Written by Phuong Pham

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