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Pope Benedict did it again in Sydney, Australia as he did in Washington and New York City; the majority first anticipated Benedict in Australia with cynicism, indifference and even resentment. "What do we have to do with this old man of an out of date Catholic Church?"
Well, as in New York and Washington, the people of Sydney were amazed at the enthusiasm of the people, especially the 250,000 young Catholics from all over the world but especially the East. Benedict's grace filled, gentle joy and the amazing insight of his speeches surprised everybody.
The cynics expected the youth to be out of control, drunk and sexually free. Instead they were amazed at their innocent joy, their prayerfulness and their discipline.
One of the most amazing episodes was a dramatization of the Stations of the Cross by young Christian actors and actresses. These stations were located throughout the whole city of Sidney. The first station, The Last Supper, was done magnificently well on a stage with music, prayer and singing that astounded some of the initially cynical citizens. This cynicism began to change and hundreds became thousands following the procession to each station, which were separated by several miles.
From hundreds, it developed into thousands not only of the young people but also of the awe inspired people of Sydney. At the Crucifixion, not unlike Gibson's Passion, the Christ actor was on a cross and was layed in the arms of His Mother with her heartfelt sobs. With soul penetrating music and singing of Amazing Grace, the young, along with the older citizens of Sidney, found themselves weeping in compassion. They could not believe what they were experiencing.
Another amazing episode was the fact that the final Mass at the Race Track which drew over 500,000 was preceded by days of confessions heard by over a thousand priests who were hearing in every section of the city of Sydney. This spirit of repentance touched not only the young Catholics but also the people of Sydney. Some of the cynics and agnostics readily admitted that they never experienced anything like this in their whole lifetime.
May all the young who returned home bring with them the Spirit of Christ Jesus and may the Australian and Sydney Christians doubters be transformed. Thank you Lord! Thank you Benedict! Thank you Sydney Australia!
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