Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Honiara (Agenzia Fides) – The 400 youth of the Solomon Islands who attended WYD in Sydney have “grateful hearts that are filled with praise to God and thanksgiving to the Holy Father.” This is what they themselves affirmed in a Thanksgiving Mass celebrated several days ago in Holy Cross Parish in the capital city of Honiara.
Youth from all different parishes came together, some of them having participated in WYD and others who had shared the experience being spiritual present. They spent three days in retreat, meditating on Pope Benedict XVI’s addresses during WYD and remembering their experiences.
Archbishop Adrian Smith of Honiara told those present at the Mass: “I was so proud to see our Solomon pilgrims behaving during the event, despite the challenges they faced”, he said. “I cannot forget our young people, invited by the Bishop of Lismore to lead the liturgy. They brought their little pan pipes to perform in church and it was amazing to see the entire congregation dancing to the harmonious sound of the pipes.”
The Archbishop thanked all those who had made the youth’s pilgrimage from Solomon Islands to Sydney possible with their organizational and economic support, as it will be an experience that will remain in their hearts forever and will be a foundation for launching a renewed youth ministry effort in the islands. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/9/2008)
