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I-Reports
It is countdown until the largest youth event in the world for the year begins. Catholic Online will present stories of youth pilgrims as they continue their travels to World Youth Day 2008. Follow the pilgrims as they progress their way to Australia and demonstrate their solidarity with the Catholic faith.
MY WORLD - WYD08 PILGRIMS TELL THEIR STORIES
What sort of people are WYD08 pilgrims? What does their faith mean to them? And where are they coming from?
To help answer these questions, we've invited Maria Chang, a pilgrim from Taiwan, to tell us a little bit about herself.
MARIA CHEUNG, TAIWAN
My name is Maria Chang, I am 21 years old and I am from Taiwan. I am a member of Chinese Catholic University Student Association (CCUSA) and during each summer and winter vacation we hold Spirit Camp for college students. During our school days we have gatherings every week to share our beliefs, our life together.
I always thank God for giving me this religion. Whenever I feel down or without direction I remember whom I belong to. It is so easy for me to make the decision according to my own will but religion helps me to think about how I should make a most suitable one.
Mother Teresa is my role model. There is a book called "The Joy of Loving" and it is Mother Teresa's words for every day guidance. Her confidence in the world, in God, accomplish her great work and it is her words that make me a better person day by day.
It is not easy to live in a non-Catholic country. We have to face a lot of questions each day, but Mother Teresa tells us not to be afraid and as long as there is love, the spirit of Jesus can be revealed. It really gives me much comfort. I am willing to come to Sydney for World Youth Day because I attended the previous one in Germany three years ago and my belief was renewed after it. I found that all over the world there are countless young.
Catholic people like me who are glorifying God in their country, in their life, and we are just like brothers and sisters in the big family belonging to God. There's a kind of fellowship that is beyond description, we just know that we are together!
I think World Youth Day gives young people a good chance to see how other young people are devoted to their religion and we are not alone at all. After that, when they face difficulties in their lives or doing the job of God, they may think of the family around the world and this helps them to stand up again.
If I could speak to Pope Benedict XVI, I would explain the experience of young Catholics in Taiwan and invite him to visit Taiwan someday because this would encourage Catholics in Taiwan very, very much!
It is countdown until the largest youth event in the world for the year begins. Catholic Online will present stories of youth pilgrims as they continue their travels to World Youth Day 2008. Follow the pilgrims as they progress their way to Australia and demonstrate their solidarity with the Catholic faith.
MY WORLD - WYD08 PILGRIMS TELL THEIR STORIES
What sort of people are WYD08 pilgrims? What does their faith mean to them? And where are they coming from?
To help answer these questions, we've invited Maria Chang, a pilgrim from Taiwan, to tell us a little bit about herself.
MARIA CHEUNG, TAIWAN
My name is Maria Chang, I am 21 years old and I am from Taiwan. I am a member of Chinese Catholic University Student Association (CCUSA) and during each summer and winter vacation we hold Spirit Camp for college students. During our school days we have gatherings every week to share our beliefs, our life together.
I always thank God for giving me this religion. Whenever I feel down or without direction I remember whom I belong to. It is so easy for me to make the decision according to my own will but religion helps me to think about how I should make a most suitable one.
Mother Teresa is my role model. There is a book called "The Joy of Loving" and it is Mother Teresa's words for every day guidance. Her confidence in the world, in God, accomplish her great work and it is her words that make me a better person day by day.
It is not easy to live in a non-Catholic country. We have to face a lot of questions each day, but Mother Teresa tells us not to be afraid and as long as there is love, the spirit of Jesus can be revealed. It really gives me much comfort. I am willing to come to Sydney for World Youth Day because I attended the previous one in Germany three years ago and my belief was renewed after it. I found that all over the world there are countless young.
Catholic people like me who are glorifying God in their country, in their life, and we are just like brothers and sisters in the big family belonging to God. There's a kind of fellowship that is beyond description, we just know that we are together!
I think World Youth Day gives young people a good chance to see how other young people are devoted to their religion and we are not alone at all. After that, when they face difficulties in their lives or doing the job of God, they may think of the family around the world and this helps them to stand up again.
If I could speak to Pope Benedict XVI, I would explain the experience of young Catholics in Taiwan and invite him to visit Taiwan someday because this would encourage Catholics in Taiwan very, very much!
