The 47 strong youth
group from our parish has returned to Ghajnsielem
following a ten-day tour in Italy. The first three days
were spent in the parish of San Nicola, San Salvo. We
were made to feel so welcome. All youngsters stayed with
the families. During these days, several meetings were
held with the sole aim of helping the young people to
participate in common prayer while getting to know each
other better. One has to mention the encounter at Chieti
with thousands of youngsters in the cathedral. All could
witness the energy and enthusiasm that governed the
meeting together with the charismatic character of
Archbishop Bruno Forte. Lelio Spiteri delivered a short
speech in the cathedral on behalf of the group hailing
from Ghajnsielem. At the end, Archbishop Forte said that
Gozitan youth are more intelligent than the Maltese!
Archpriest Frankie Bajada presented Archbishop Forte
some books in English written by Saint George Preca and
a tapestry showing the titular statue of Our Lady of
Loreto. He also invited the archbishop to come over for
the feast of Ghajnsielem.
One cannot mention all that happened. However one cannot
leave out the historical meeting with Pope Benedict XVI
at Montorso, a few kilometers away from the centre of
Loreto. 500 000 young people, half a million were
present. We were there, with them, participating in this
historic event. The vigil, taking place on Saturday 1st
September, proved to be an event of music and prayer. On
Sunday morning then, we participated in the mass led by
His Holiness the Pope. The whole event is so unique that
one has to experience it directly. No words can depict
the feelings we all felt that day.
The group had the unique opportunity to visit the Holy
House, but not only. Archpriest Bajada celebrated mass
for the group. This was another opportunity for prayer
and meditation. The visit to Assisi, thanks to the
guidance of Fra Lorrie Zerafa, proved yet again an
enriching experience.
The ten days passed quickly. Memories remain. When asked
about this tour, all young people said something in
common: When will something similar be organized? This
was the first time ever that our parish organized such a
tour for young people, a tour not simply serving as a
holiday or a sight seeing tour. There was more to it,
much more, a profound experience. Surely it will not be
the last.
This
article was written by Lelio Spiteri. Photos were taken
by Elvia Angela Portelli, Elvienne Xuereb, Emanuel
Zerafa, and Larry Buttigieg.
