"Days in the Diocese - Paray Le Monial - Emmanuel Road to Cologne WYD 2005"

Yvette Jackowiak

In the week or so leading up to the week of World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne, Germany, I went with a group of about 130 pilgrims from Sydney, Australia to Paris, Lisieux and then an opportunity to reside for four days in Paray Le Monial. All I really knew about this place was it is where Jesus revealed his Sacred Heart to St Margaret Mary.

It was a very busy few days before we arrived in Paray. So when we did arrive I was looking forward to actually having time to relax and pray, rather than rushing to see different churches and shrines, although this were valuable experiences.

My heart was touched in Paray.I don't know if I can pinpoint exactly what it was, but I really had time to pray before the Blessed Sacrament, seek the intercession of St Margaret Mary and get to know my fellow pilgrims better during this time. During our brief visit to Lisieux St Therese had really spoken to me and so Paray also gave me time to stop and reflect on these words.

For me it was so important to have this time in Paray. I left there with
such a peace and felt prepared for whatever else the Lord may have in store for me in Cologne. I was also able to experience more fully the graces of the Emmanuel community who have different sessions and retreats in this little town through the year such as the one we experienced in Days in the Diocese.

I look forward to next year, welcoming fellow brothers and sisters in the faith from all over the world to Goulburn where the Emmanuel community will hold their International Youth Forum during Days in the Diocese in the lead up to WYD in Sydney, 2008!

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“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem… and to the ends of the earth” (Acts of the Apostles 1:8)