Bishop Alan writes from Krakow:
“Twenty-five hours on coach and ferry brought the Brentwood Catholic Youth Service Pilgrimage to Krakow for World Youth Day 2016. No undue delays and a good journey with lots of noise, laughter and a little sleep.
Krakow is now packed with countless thousands of young pilgrims. Lots of conversations and new friends from what seems to be every country of the world.
I have met bishops from Papua New Guinea, Africa, Australia and France and even helped the Bishop of Helsinki with his mitre!
I have also met with pilgrims from Brentwood Diocese who have travelled with other groups – all happy and delighted to share their faith and joy in this Year of Mercy.
Our opening Mass was a great experience of the worldwide Catholic Church at prayer. Amazing singing and music, profound silence, and vast crowds of pilgrims.
Our Polish hosts have given us a great welcome and have organised things well. I have used my food vouchers in exchange for good basic meals – depending on the location there are enormous queues or sometimes none at all.
The weather is hot, sunny but sometimes with downpours. I got wet and muddy on the field and think I may be in the running for the ‘scruffiest bishop award’ at World Youth Day 2016.
Please pray for all our Brentwood pilgrims as we will continue pray for you!”
Pictures from the opening Mass
