The good Lord didn't arrange for me to go physically with our World Youth Day pilgrims, so the next best thing was to follow as many of them as I could through social media.

For this purpose, I knew I had to get on to Instagram and get fluent in it fast. Snapchat however, was a bridge too far. Maybe for WYD Panama in 2019 I will consider it.

Instagram turned out to be a good decision. Far too many of the blogs that started petered out, and most of the Twitter feeds didn't feature the pilgrim groups I was most interested in.

The downside is that most of the content on Instagram doesn't make it into internet search engines, so I can't share the best bits with you visually. All I can do is tell you which hashtags and handles to go looking for.

The following blogs were amazing:

https://ntpilgrims.wordpress.com/ 
The Northern Territory pilgrims did a very good job of sharing their pilgrimage in photos, video and text, until the WYD opening Mass.

cairnswyd16.weebly.com/
The Cairns pilgrims took it in turns to write about their experiences and provided lots of photos.

​http://mnnews.today/world-youth-day-2016/
The Maitland Newcastle pilgrims did an excellent job in not only writing and sharing photos, but getting quotes from each other about each day's experiences.

​http://brokenbaypilgrim.blogspot.com.au/
This blog was particularly good until his group got to Krakow, then it stopped. Here's hoping he will do the rest now that he is back home, but seminary studies may prevent that. 

Hashtags

Finding the right hashtags to follow was an art in itself.

#parrawyd via Instagram showed heartwarming pictures of the work the pilgrims did in the Philippines before heading off to Poland.

#AussiePilgrims and #AussiePilgrim were being used by more than just World Youth Day pilgrims, but it was a good place to find them in order to start following them.

#MNpilgrims for Maitland Newcastle pilgrims was well used

#WYD2016 was global and #WYD_en was for English speaking pilgrims. 

#dbbwyd was for the diocese of Broken Bay, and they used a series of pre-arranged suffixes that worked very well. For example the pilgrims going through the Holy Land used #dbbwyd_holyland, for Italy #dbbwyd_italy, for Greece #dbbwyd_greece and for those going direct to Poland, #dbbwyd_poland. those who  and there were daily themes like #dbbwyd_friends and #dbbwyd_miracles. By using those daily theme hashtags (see below) you can still journey with the pilgrims well after the event. 

Final Musings

The mainstream media largely ignored World Youth Day Krakow. But just like when Jesus was on His way into Jerusalem for His final Passover and when people told Him to stop His followers ringing out their Hosannas and He replied, 'If these keep silent, the stones will cry out' Luke 19:40 - the various social media channels got the news out - and probably got it out more effectively than the mainstream media. 

Many of the sights and sounds of WYD Krakow brought back vivid memories for me from WYD Sydney, and I'm very grateful for that.

​Seeing so many happy young people exploring and living out their faith was a wonderful gift, as were the photographs of the beautiful churches where they celebrated Mass and venerated the lives of the Saints who lived and ministered in those places.

World Youth Day gives us the clearest glimpse of what the unity in diversity of heaven will be like, and the power of the merciful Love that makes it all possible. Thanks be to God for such a gift, and for St John Paul II who was inspired to initiate it.

​Extraordinary seeds of grace have been planted in individual souls, and in the diocesan relationships forged through pilgrimage. Now it is up to us to intercede that these seeds of grace grow and fulfill God's complete purpose for them.

Our Lady of Mercy, pray for us
St John Paul II, pray for us
St Faustina, pray for us 
St Maximillian Kolbe, pray for us
St Theresa Benedicta of the Cross, pray for us

Because other papal bulls in recent memory have included options for those who are infirm or unable to leave their own house (eg Incarnationis Mysterium) and because Misericordiae Vultus was silent on the matter, I am going to assume that those conditions apply to the Jubilee Year of Mercy viz 'They can gain the indulgence by spiritually uniting themselves with those carrying out the prescribed work in the ordinary manner and by offering to God their prayers, sufferings and discomforts'.

The Handbook of Indulgences 1988 says 'To be capable of gaining indulgences a person must be baptized, not excommunicated, and in the state of grace (ie free from all serious sin) at least at the time the prescribed works are completed.'

So this Virtual Pilgrimage is designed to help those who are infirm or housebound to unite themselves spiritually with those making Holy Door pilgrimages to Holy Cross, Kincumber. As usual, whether the grace of an indulgence is full or partial is up to God. Since St Thomas Aquinas says, 'The benefit of a single grace is greater than all the material value of the whole world.', we shouldn't neglect doing our best to be granted even the smallest ones. Even St Paul encourages us, 'The more grace is multiplied among people, the more thanksgiving there will be, to the glory of God.' 2 Cor 4:15b

So let's begin.

Holy Cross Kincumber was built in 1842 with convict-hewn sandstone blocks, at a time when access to this part of the world was only possible by boat. Next door is the convent and orphanage built by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart under the guidance of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. On the other side is an historic cemetery.  

​Here's what the exterior of the Holy Door at Holy Cross Kincumber looks like:

Before we go in we need to do three things.

Firstly we need to express our contrition to God for our sins. To obtain the full indulgence requires going to the Sacrament of Penance (a.k.a confession) and receiving God's mercy in a personal way. Since for some that may not be possible within the 'week before or week after' time requirement, we can pray an Act of Contrition. Choose which one you like most and pray that...

O my God, I am sorry and beg pardon for all my sins and detest them above all things, because they deserve Your dreadful
punishments, because they have crucified my loving Saviour, Jesus Christ, and, most of all, because they offend Your
infinite goodness. And I firmly resolve, by the help of Your grace, never to offend You again, and carefully avoid the occasions of sin. Amen
 
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You
whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In His name, my God, have mercy. Amen.

The next thing is receiving sacramental Holy Communion. Again, that might not be possible for many, but instead we can pray a prayer of spiritual Communion. In the life of St Catherine of Siena we read that Jesus compared these types of communion to gold and silver respectively, and that both pleased Him. Choose to pray the one you like most...

'My Jesus, I believe that You are truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to possess You within my soul. Since I am unable now to receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as already being there, and unite myself wholly to You; never permit me to be separated from You.' St Alphonsus Ligouri

'At Your feet, O my Jesus, I prostrate myself and I offer You the repentance of my contrite heart, which is humbled in its nothingness and in Your holy presence. I adore You in the Sacrament of Your love, the ineffable Eucharist. I desire to receive You into the poor dwelling that my heart offers You. While waiting for the happiness of sacramental communion, I wish to possess You in spirit. Come to me, O my Jesus, since I, for my part, am coming to You! May Your love embrace my whole being in life and in death. I believe in You, I hope in You, I love You. Amen.' Cardinal Merry del Val 
 
The third thing is choosing your intention. Any indulgence can be obtained for oneself (as a way of kick-starting or renewing your relationship with God) or for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Once you have chosen, we can enter the Holy Door with as much humility and trust as possible.

Here's what this holy place looks like inside.

It is a favourite place for local brides and grooms to enter into sacramental marriage.

​Now we pray an Our Father, the prayer Jesus Himself taught us. Choose where you would like to pray it, near the tabernacle or near one of the crucifixes.

For this part you can pray in your own words, or you might like to pray this prayer for St Mary of the Cross MacKillop for your living loved ones and an Eternal Rest for each deceased loved one.

Ever generous and merciful God, You inspired St Mary of the Cross MacKillop to live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and constant in bringing hope and encouragement to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy. With confidence in Your generous providence and joining with St Mary of the Cross MacKillop I ask that You grant my request  ............................ for .......................... May our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so that we too, like St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness. Ever generous and merciful God hear my prayer, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
May his/her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

​...............................................

Our virtual pilgrimage is now at an end. Come back any time during this Jubilee Year of Mercy to pray it again (it finishes 20 Nov 2016).



 
  

Because Jubilee Years are infrequent in the Church, it is easy to forget how to celebrate them. So here are a few reminders about how to obtain the special graces available at each Holy Door of Mercy.

Firstly some thoughts from Pope Francis from the Papal Bull announcing the Jubilee Year of Mercy

14. The practice of pilgrimage has a special place in the Holy Year, because it represents the journey each of us makes in this life. Life itself is a pilgrimage, and the human being is a viator, a pilgrim travelling along the road, making his way to the desired destination. Similarly, to reach the Holy Door in Rome or in any other place in the world, everyone, each according to his or her ability, will have to make a pilgrimage. This will be a sign that mercy is also a goal to reach and requires dedication and sacrifice. May pilgrimage be an impetus to conversion: by crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, we will find the strength to embrace God’s mercy and dedicate ourselves to being merciful with others as the Father has been with us.

22b. The Church lives within the communion of the saints. In the Eucharist, this communion, which is a gift from God, becomes a spiritual union binding us to the saints and blessed ones whose number is beyond counting (cf. Rev 7:4). Their holiness comes to the aid of our weakness in a way that enables the Church, with her maternal prayers and her way of life, to fortify the weakness of some with the strength of others. Hence, to live the indulgence of the Holy Year means to approach the Father’s mercy with the certainty that His forgiveness extends to the entire life of the believer. To gain an indulgence is to experience the holiness of the Church, who bestows upon all the fruits of Christ’s redemption, so that God’s love and forgiveness may extend everywhere. Let us live this Jubilee intensely, begging the Father to forgive our sins and to bathe us in His merciful “indulgence.”

What do we need to receive all that God has for us at a Door of Mercy?

• Come as a pilgrim to the Door of Mercy
• Willingness to turn away from all serious sin in our lives
• Receive sacramental Holy Communion that day (Mass or Communion Service)
• Go to the Sacrament of Penance sometime in the week leading up to your visit to the Holy Door, on the day, or in the week following your visit.
• Pray an Our Father
• Re-affirm your faith in God by praying either the Apostles Creed or the Nicene Creed
• Pray for the Pope
• Perform one of the spiritual or corporal works of Mercy

We can choose whether to apply this indulgenced gift of mercy to our own lives or to give it back to God in intercession for a holy soul in Purgatory.

Approaching the Holy Door
To approach any Holy Door of Mercy with pride and without reverence would be very wrong. That is why in Rome, in Jubilee Years, the pilgrims go down on their knees to cross the threshold of the Holy Door. Humility, contrition and trust in God's power to forgive and to heal are what need to fill our hearts as we go through the Holy Door.

(In my diocese there are 5 Holy Doors, one for each deanery which means that everyone in our long narrow diocese is not more than an hour's travel away from a Holy Door: Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Waitara; Our Lady of Dolours, Chatswood; St Mary's, Manly; Holy Cross, Kincumber and Our Lady of the Rosary, The Entrance.

Your own diocesan website should contain information about the Holy Doors in your diocese. Every diocesan cathedral has a Holy Door.)

Sacrament of Penance
Where each soul meets the Mercy of God personally, confesses their sins to God through the intermediary of the priest, expresses contrition, receives His merciful forgiveness, and is given a prayer penance or an action penance to assist in repairing the damage done by those sins to his/her relationship with God.

Holy Communion
All of us are utterly unworthy to receive Jesus, body, blood, soul and divinity in the consecrated bread and consecrated wine, but He knowing our frailty mercifully gives us this great gift which unites us to Jesus and to all those who have ever partaken of this one bread and one cup, strengthening us in love and empowering us to become merciful like the Father.

Our Father
This is the prayer Jesus taught us Himself. At the place of pilgrimage, set yourself close to the tabernacle or to a crucifix, and pray this prayer in union with Him.

Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be Your Name;
Your kingdom come;
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Creed
'Repent, Believe, Receive' has been the pattern of receiving mercy and grace since Pentecost. Praying the Creed is where we reaffirm our faith and trust in God. Most churches with Holy Doors have an image of St Joseph, the man of faith, find that image and pray the Creed there.

I believe in God the Father Almighty,
he Creator of Heaven and Earth,
and in Jesus Christ His only Son, Our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into Hell,
on the third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into Heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body
and life everlasting. Amen.

Pray for the Pope
Every church has an image of the Mother of Jesus. Find that image at your place of pilgrimage and pray with her for Pope Francis who has such tender devotion to her.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
Hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve,
to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, O gracious advocate,
Thine eyes of mercy towards us,
and after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Work of Mercy
Every church has a patron saint, or at least an image of a favourite saint eg St Mary McKillop, St Anthony of Padua, St Therese of Lisieux. One of the easiest works of mercy is to pray for the living and to pray for the dead. Find an image of a saint in your place of pilgrimage that means the most to you, and in union with this saint, spend some time praying for your loved ones.

While you are there, God may put on your heart a work of mercy He wants you to do, be open to that, and do it cheerfully.

The Corporal Works of Mercy
Feed the hungry ; Give drink to the thirsty ;
Clothe the naked ; Shelter the homeless ; Visit the sick ;
Visit the imprisoned ; Bury the dead

The Spiritual Works of Mercy
Admonish the sinner ; Instruct the ignorant ;
Counsel the doubtful ; Comfort the sorrowful ;
ear wrongs patiently ; Forgive all injuries
Pray for the living and the dead

Don't stop at one
God wants to pour out extraordinary graces during this Holy Year of Mercy. He is only limited by our response.  So don't stop at visiting a Holy Door once, make time in your life to get to a Holy Door at least monthly, more often if you can. The more the Father's merciful indulgence is received, the more you, the whole church and the whole world will benefit.

St Padre Pio, pray for us
St John Vianney, pray for us
St Leopold Mandic, pray for us
St Philip Neri, pray for us
​
Below is a pamphlet which contains most of the information in this blog post, double-sided A4, tri-fold, share it around.