The WYD Cross & Icon shed light on a dark memory

Today was another highly significant day with the Cross & Icon.
A packed Cathedral welcomed the Cross & Icon to Sunday morning Mass celebrated by Archbishop Mark. With the help of members of the Missionaries of God’s Love, St Vinnies Youth, students from St Edmund's & St Clare’s Colleges & local parishes, the Cross & Icon were then processed along Lake Burley Griffin towards Reconciliation Place.

Here we took the opportunity to reflect on our call to reconciliation, particularly between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. It was also an opportunity for us to be individually reconciled with God with a number of priests hearing confessions under the trees.

Following veneration, the Cross & Icon then processed down to the lake where they boarded a boat to cross to the other side. Here they were met by a group of keen students from Merici College who processed the Cross & Icon a good distance before the Young Men of God movement took over and processed right up to the National War Memorial.

The Cross & Icon were placed at the front of the War Memorial where a touching service was held. Bringing the Cross to a place where we remember the sacrifice of the men and women who died for our country was a powerful reminder for us of the sacrifice of Jesus who died for our salvation.

We had an explosive end to the day at St Benedict’s Narrabundah for the 7pm Charismatic Mass followed by an all-night Vigil. Fr Chris was delighted to be celebrating Mass back in his old Parish, in front of a full house. During the Mass all youth had the opportunity to “come to the cross” and leave whatever was on their heart with Jesus. As I knelt around the cross with about 100 other young people I got this real sense that Jesus was present among us - what a special moment! What a special day!