TORONTO, Canada, July 23, 2002 — The rows of boxes stacked against the wall of the large exhibit hall that is Toronto's International Centre, are basic brown cardboard, rectangular in shape, and closed with the standard, nondescript tape that normally seals such packing containers. They are marked with the words; "Canadian Bible Society, WYD 2002, Gospel of Matthew, Quantity: 100." They hold precious contents. And David and Susan Whelan of Orangeville, Ontario figure they have torn back the tape and raised the flaps to reveal those contents on at least 800 such boxes over the past two days.
The Whelans have been at the Registration Site since 5 a.m.
"We've unpacked at least 70,000 Gospels yesterday, and another 10,000 at least, so far today," said David proudly, taking a moment's break from his work. It is now 3 p.m. He and his wife have been unpacking boxes, then re-packing the various contents of those boxes into the special red-and-beige World Youth Day 2002 backpacks for pilgrims, since they arrived at the Registration Site at five o'clock this morning. They are among thousands of volunteers working in countless capacities across the city to make the 17th World Youth Day festivities run smoothly, and among the scores donating their time to manning this particular site. There are four such sites scattered across the city, each one processing tens of thousands of young Roman Catholic pilgrims from around the globe who are descending on Toronto for the weeklong celebrations.
The Whelans both booked a week's worth of holidays to be here. Susan said that while they considered attending the event simply as participants, "There was a need ... so we came. I guess it's just part of our philosophy to help."
So help, they do.
Each pilgrim receives the precious books
Photo: Robert Simpson / CBS
Volounteer Christine Haghnegahdar of Toronto, Ontario guides World Youth Day Pilgrims from their buses to the registration desks on Wednesday, July 24, 2002 at the International Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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Each pilgrim that registers for World Youth Day receives one of the attractive backpacks stuffed with everything from maps to peanuts. And of course, they receive the precious books: a special, pocket-sized Gospel of Matthew, written in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Italian.
The Gospel of Matthew is the first book in the Bible's New Testament. Believed to have been authored by Matthew (also known as Levi), a former tax collector and disciple of Christ; it was written prior to AD 70. It is one of the Four Gospels, and it tells the story of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Canadian Bible Society published 300,000 Gospels for WYD
The Gospels are provided by The Canadian Bible Society, who published 300,000 of the special editions for World Youth Day; constituting the largest volume distribution of Scriptures ever accomplished for a single event, in the almost 100 year history of the Society.
'Dramatic story of God's love brings hope and peace'
Photo: Robert Simpson / CBS
Serge Rheaume, Directeur du Secteur francophone, Canadian Bible Society.
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Serge Rheaume, Directeur du Secteur francophone for the Canadian Bible Society says the project was a natural fit for his organization. "We believe the dramatic story of God's love can bring hope and peace to today's youth. This is an exceptional opportunity to freely offer the Good News of salvation to these young people, at a time when they will gather together to learn about and celebrate their faith."
The Canadian Bible Society is regularly involved in Scripture translation, production and distribution. In 1990, many thousands of copies of the Gospel of John and other portions of Scripture were distributed at Mission Quebec, the Billy Graham Crusade. Through its sixteen district offices, the Society gives Scriptures for free to Canadian Forces recruits, the visually impaired, new Canadian citizens, seminary students, prison inmates and other communities of need.
Rheaume says his organization's mandate is to promote the Bible. "We are here to touch everybody with the Word of God, and to touch their hearts and to change their lives."
Before many of the young Catholic pilgrims have even received their backpacks or their Gospels, there are lives that give evidence of having already been touched. Susan Whelan holds a copy of the 31/2" X 5" Gospel, and says that while she's never read the Gospel of Matthew "cover to cover" before, she plans on reading this one.
Source: Patricia L. Paddey, Bible Network News
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