(Father B.F. Heffernan, Peterborough, Ontario is covering World Youth Day for Canada Free Press.)
. Heffernan
Thursday, august 18, 2005
Holland-- Cyclists shift restlessly on the Frickendell Ferry as it putters across the Maas River, leaving our host town of Cuijk, veiled in a soft Holland morning mist. Fog on the far side bellows back like a lapping tide revealing the roads and rich pastures that lie ahead.
Our group of pilgrims is heading for the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.
Once inside we kneel in the midst of a forest of white marble tombstones adorned with maple leaves. I notice how immaculate the grounds are maintained. Even the red roses stood at attention, standing guard over these Canadian graves. The words of poet John McCrae drift to mind.
"and now we lie in Flanders Field
To you from falling hands we throw
The torch be yours to hold it high,
If ye break faith with those who die
We shall not sleep in Flanders Field."
as I prayed for all the soldiers who died in battle, I was reminded of the similarities between them and the youth that have come to Europe for World Youth Day. as the liberating Canadian soldiers bonded with the Dutch, so have these young spiritual Canadian pilgrims. as these youth traveled nightly on buses to different communities and packed their empty churches, the elderly Dutch cried as they remembered b back to the days when their own youth packed their churches and sent missionaries abroad to foreign lands.
Neighboring pastors and priests witnessed these phenomena with moistened eyes, equally moved by these young pilgrims who flew across the ocean and came with love, sacrifice and a vision to rejuvenate their countries' faith.
These are tomorrow’s leaders coming to learn from one of the Church’s, and indeed the world’s most gifted spiritual teachers, Pope Benedict XVI.
This year marks the 60th anniversary since thousands of Canadians died liberating Holland. The Dutch have never forgotten what young Canadians did for them during war times. Thousands gave their lives.
It is now many years since the guns are silent. Holland has now joined Germany to host World Youth Day for all the globe. Over the years the definition of evil has changed, from a political evil, now to a void in spiritual drive. With all the world uniting to celebrate the Catholic faith, small towns like Cuijk, Uden and Zeeland rejoice that the faith of the youth is still flourishing across the seas. The Canadian youth came before to save Europe from oppression and war; Can they come again to restore faith in God from a spiritual void and darkness?
I finish my prayer and rise to my feet to see some of the Canadian youth of Peterborough Diocese praying beside me. Some are walking the graves looking for familiar names or imagining what it would have been like, to be in their shoes. The group finally is ready to leave. Their Dutch host families are impressed with the connection these young Canadians feel for Holland; the red and white flag they leave behind is a silent reminder of their long and strong attachment to heroes of the past.
I smile and say to myself, "This is a battle between Light and Darkness! This is a battle we can win."
Pursuant to Title 17 U.S.C. 107, other copyrighted work is provided for educational purposes, research, critical comment, or debate without profit or payment. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for your own purposes beyond the 'fair use' exception, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Views are those of authors and not necessarily those of Canada Free Press. Content is Copyright 1997-2018 the individual authors. Site Copyright 1997-2018 Canada Free Press.Com Privacy Statement