World Youth Day Makes Student More Conscious of God in Every Day Life

Caldwell College Student Lindsay Sewekow attended World Youth Day 2011 in Spain. Before heading to Madrid, her group visited Catholic shrines and historical sites including Fatima, Portugal; Lourdes, France; Avila, Spain and Toledo, Spain. Here she is pictured with Toledo in the background.

Caldwell, NJ- September 15, 2011 - Caldwell College student Lindsay Sewekow was in Madrid to hear Pope Benedict XVI say it. "It's worthwhile accepting the call of Christ. " And she would agree. Lindsay, a senior, accepted the call to go to World Youth Day 2011 in August. She was there in the daytime heat with the crowds and the overnight rain outside with hundreds of thousands of young people. Yet, it was still worth it. The most memorable moment was "when I saw the Pope for the first time," she said. She had been waiting for four hours in the sun for the Holy Father to arrive. She had been pushed forward and was in a tiny corner, but "you don't care". It was worth it because the entire experience "personalized" her faith and stimulated her interest and curiosity in other aspects of life.

World Youth Days are celebrated every three years in a different country and provide young people from all over the world with the opportunity to experience the sacraments and pray with others who share their ambitions and interests.

Lindsay, a psychology major from Medford Lakes, NJ, travelled to World Youth Day with some 80 pilgrims from around the world. She had "never seen so many people all together. All there for the same reason—to celebrate the Catholic faith." Prior to going to WYD, they went to shrines and Catholic historic sites in Europe including Fatima, Portugal; Lourdes, France; and Avila and Toledo, Spain. She met young people from around the globe. Her roommates were from Ireland and Texas. She could not believe how often she heard the Hail Mary prayed. "It was so cool to hear it in different languages."

In Madrid, the World Youth Day arena was set up for catechism workshops and speakers. The pilgrims could attend Eucharistic Adoration, vigils and confession. There were also cultural events including concerts, exhibits, and plays. And there was quite a bit of joy.

Since getting home, she is more "curious" and "more conscious of God in her everyday life than before". She is different in her classes. She has more questions. Questions like-- "who are going to be the saints of my age?" or "What are we doing now that is beneficial for later?" The theme of WYD was "Planted and Built Up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith," from Saint Paul. That was what Lindsay experienced. "It firmed it, made it real," she said.

The trip, she says, was "very spur of the moment" and she wants other young people to have the experience next time. "You might think it's not your cup of tea. Take the opportunity if it's given to you. I was really, really lucky". She has her eyes set on WYD 2013 in Rio de Janiero and says Caldwell College should organize a trip. "You don't need a big group."

Lindsay's pilgrimage was sponsored by the Alliance of the Holy Family International with support from Caldwell College.