Deacon Leads Catechesis Session for the Youth

Deacon Daniel Strickland of the Missionaries of God's Love led the pilgrims in praise and worship with a three-piece band.

SYDNEY, Australia (Zenit) - World Youth Day brings so much festivity that it is easy to get caught up in the glamour and forget that it is a pilgrimage, said a deacon who led a catechesis session today.

Catechesis sessions are part of the youth day experience. They generally consist of teachings from religious, discussion and the celebration of Mass.

The first of the catechesis sessions began today in various Sydney venues. Deacon Daniel Strickland was part of one of the more lively sessions, held in Hyde Park.

The Missionaries of God's Love led the pilgrims in praise and worship with a three-piece band. Deacon Strickland urged the gathering to respond with depth, not just emotion.

"We can get so caught up in the glamour of World Youth Day," he said. "Sometimes we can forget we are pilgrims. We need to focus purely on Jesus."

Jennifer Abel, 17, from Perth said the experience of praise and worship was powerful: "It's so amazing to be part of such a big crowd. Experiencing Jesus through worship with so many people makes me feel really close to him."

Changing hearts

The Missionaries of God's Love are building up quite a following in Australia, with their presence at World Youth Day attracting large crowds. They are also one of the fastest growing religious associations in Australia.

The group began in 1986 when some men from the charismatic Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community felt a call to the priesthood but wanted to remain part of the disciples.

They agreed to pray weekly before the Blessed Sacrament for a year to discover God's guidance. At the end of the year, they began life in common, dedicated to living the Gospel radically, imitating Jesus in his poverty, and building up prayer and common life.

Their apostolic work is with society's marginalized. They have a special connection with Australia's indigenous population, with missions in Darwin and the Northern Territory, and also with young people through school visits, youth groups and summer camps.

Father Ken Barker, the founder, explained that their vows help them to be dedicated "to the preaching of the good news of Jesus for the salvation of all men and women."

"We aim to lead people to a personal relationship with Christ, and to experience a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their lives," he added.

"The key to World Youth Day can be found in the theme of the week in those words from Acts 1:8, 'Receive the power.' As we know the Holy Spirit will indeed change the hearts of those in attendance over these days."