All photos: Robert Simpson / Canadian Bible Society
TORONTO, Canada, July 24, 2002 — "This is my first chance to be at WYD, and I think it's a wonderful outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on these young people. It's so exciting to see so many of these young people encountering the power of Jesus Christ in their life, and feeling Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. So I think it's really exciting - that's the whole point of John Paul II's new evangelization ... which is not a new evangelization as much as it's getting back to the old evangelization; which means bringing the church back to its roots and its foundations ... which is really the encounter with the saving God, who comes to us through Jesus Christ."
- Father Paul (Franciscan Priest), Philadelphia, USA
"I just came here for spiritual renewal - to be here with people who share my faith, and to express my love for God."
- Dario Diguiao, New Zealand
"It means a lot, seeing all these people from all over the world. And the people that can't even speak or communicate with each other, will still somehow, connect in a way, in the name of Christ. It means a lot to us. It lifts my spirit up, more than 100 per cent."
- Okusitino Kama, Sydney, Australia
"I really want to deepen my Catholic faith - and I knew that it would be so awesome, to see all these wonderful people from other countries come together all for one church. It's so universal, and I know that's what Catholic means. It's awesome to be here! I can feel the presence of God, just walking down the street!"
- Jessica O'Neill, Minnesota, USA
"I think World Youth Day is a wonderful thing. It's something that gives life to the church. It's something that enthuses the young people, and it does a great deal of good."
"I'm here to celebrate with all the rest of the world's youth; to recognize that we are salt and light, to encourage each other in our faith, to be encouraged by the Holy Father, and to be a sign for the world that Jesus is alive. It's an incredible blessing to be here!"
- Brother Pio Maria Hoffmann, Franciscan Friar, Harlem, N.Y., USA
"I've been to one (WYD) before - Paris in '97. I came on my own to this day. I think the most beautiful thing for me about WYD so far, has been seeing all the young people together from around the globe in the Blessed Sacrament chapel just adoring Jesus together."
- Rosanne Allen, England
"I came to be with our Franciscan Youth Group, from four provinces in Western Canada. We wanted to be here for this experience of church, and to see the Pope. And it's been really wonderful. We have really enthusiastic young people, and we're making lots of noise on the buses, and singing, and I can see their faith encouraging each others' faith. It's a confirmation and an encouragement to me for my (faith). This little group of pilgrims - they're full of enthusiasm for the Lord, which I am too!"
- Sister Dianne Turner, Franciscan Sister of St. Elizabeth, Calgary, Canada
"I came to WYD mainly because the word Catholic means universal, and the Catholic church is the universal church, and it's just so awesome to see all the nations from around the world unite in the love of Jesus. No other religion, or no other event in the world compares - or could bring this many people together in one place, at one point in time... God bless all the countries. We are one body in Christ around the world. It doesn't matter what country you're from, or what colour your skin is. This is an affirmation of how big the church really is, and the power of Christ and the power of God throughout the entire world."
- Scott Smith, Greenville, Michigan, USA
"This is my second experience at World Youth Day, the first time was in Europe. It's a personal thing. (What it means to be here). I can't explain with words, but I can say that it's a moment where you can really feel what Jesus is. It's something very, very deep."
