After the Youth Mass at Saint Mary’s Cathedral, we joined the Procession of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon to Hyde Park.  Here, a carols service drew a large crowd, many of whom had not so much as heard of World Youth Day.  The Little Sisters of the Poor carried the large Cross, and we were happily surprised when the event organizers approached us to ask us to carry the Icon of Our Lady.  Of course, we were honored to do so!  After the service, which included selections from the Scriptures intermingled with the carols, the people gathered were invited to come forward to venerate the Cross and Icon.  As the spectators became pilgrims, their sense of a Presence became evident in their posture and prayers.  Such an encounter offered a moving prelude to the Encounter of Christmas just two days away.

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