Nothing could dampen the enthusiasm at last night’s World Youth Day Rio 2013 kick off celebration. Cold? Rain? Power-outage on the subway? Nothing. A party thousands strong right on Copacabana Beach was both rockin’ and prayerful. Oh yes, I said it: rockin’ and prayerful. I was there with fellow @TJPOnTour contributor Chris Schroeder, and I’d like to think we scooped the major networks by doing something they wouldn’t: live-tweeting the event from ground level right along with the pilgrims.
The night got off to a rough start when Rio’s Metro system suffered a major electrical problem and had to shut down just an hour ahead of the scheduled start.
Rio Metro has broken down ahead of first #wyd event at Copacabana beach! Undaunted pilgrims set out on foot!
— Jason Welle, SJ (@malawijay) July 23, 2013
But that couldn’t stop the thousands of stranded but enthusiastic pilgrims, who just set out on foot.
Too many people for subway…followimg parade of Brazilian flags to beach and #WYD opening mass! pic.twitter.com/Ol2SDr1pFf
— Chris Schroeder, SJ (@analogjesuit) July 23, 2013
So we hiked across traffic-jammed streets, through tunnels, and over hills. We were not disappointed upon our arrival. Music was being blasted across the beach, with thousands of pilgrims already there, dancing, singing and waving flags. It was raucous and wonderful.
This is madness! A lovely, beautiful madness! #wyd pic.twitter.com/7roFhDI4lC
— Jason Welle, SJ (@malawijay) July 23, 2013
Even as the music and dancing paused and the huge crowd started praying the rosary in five different languages, you could still feel the excitement in the air.
There’s like a million people here now praying the rosary on Copacabana. It’s like Beach Blanket Babylon but without the Babylon. #wyd
— Jason Welle, SJ (@malawijay) July 23, 2013
Everywhere we went strangers would approach us and ask where we were from, and that opened up some great conversations with amazing people from every corner of the world. Not to mention a case of mistaken identity.
These Brasileiros wanted a photo with Padre Chuck Norris. How could I refuse? #wyd #availability pic.twitter.com/86lMaRywNe
— Jason Welle, SJ (@malawijay) July 23, 2013
And it let us ask the question we’ve been wondering ever since we started planning our trip down to Rio:
Why does #WYD matter? Let’s ask some pilgrims at the Copacabana opening mass…
— Chris Schroeder, SJ (@analogjesuit) July 23, 2013
The responses we got told us a lot about the pilgrims and their motivations making this incredible pilgrimage.
Two Brazilians: #WYD demonstrates the love of God for the world; it gives us an experience of how love can unite the world.
— Chris Schroeder, SJ (@analogjesuit) July 23, 2013
French pilgrim: I’m not sure if I believe in God, but it’s so beautiful being around a community that’s so joyful! #wyd
— Jason Welle, SJ (@malawijay) July 23, 2013
We heard this over and over. The words love, community, and joy started to sound like a mantra. Love, community, joy. Thousands of people coming together, sharing a community across nations, cultures and languages. When I came to Brazil I expected Pope Francis to be a major draw, and definitely, young people are excited about his upcoming appearance. But when you ask pilgrims directly why they’re here, he’s usually not the first thing they mention. It’s the thirst for community, and the knowledge that there’s really love and joy that moves them so powerfully.
So I’m learning a thing or two from the pilgrims. About what matters to them, and why it’s important to gather, and how–as much as they love the pope–one man does not an event make. An on a practical level I’m also learning a thing or two about life and fashion in Rio:
Things I never thought I’d say in Rio: “Wish I’d brought a sweater to Copacabana.” #wyd
— Jason Welle, SJ (@malawijay) July 23, 2013
Essential #wyd Portuguese: capachuva=poncho. #singingintherain pic.twitter.com/vHoykLIfhz
— Jason Welle, SJ (@malawijay) July 23, 2013
So the great pilgrimage continues. There is singing and dancing, silence and prayer, plenty of international encounters and love. If you don’t want to take my word for it, Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ got the reactions from a few pilgrims as they arrived home for the night:
