As preparations for World Youth Day begin, Busted Halo produced this short video introducing you to the big event.
I’d also like to offer some additional thoughts based on my experience of the Papal rock concert.
Now, up front let me say, I really have enjoyed the two World Youth Days I attended, especially Sydney where I spent time not only with youth from all over the world but also with my colleagues from Charis Ministries in Chicago and a Koala or two.
One thing really troubles me about World Youth Day though. I’d like to call it the World Youth Day Booty Call. Some situations I encountered at both World Youth Days (Toronto and Sydney).
1) A young man, shirtless, had written on his chest in “black out” the words “Hug Me for Jesus.” Creepy! And yet plenty of young girls fell for his ploy. I saw him again about an hour later making out with a girl against the side of the food carts.
2) A group of French young people (most of whom were smoking constantly) had a sign that said “Free French Kiss.” Don’t believe me…check it out.
Now the demure young lady in the video only hugged the young man, but moments after I stopped filming a young woman walked up to him and full on open mouthed french kissed the guy. Tonsil hockey for a good 30 seconds ensued.
3) The kicker. So students sleep together outside at World Youth Day the night the Pope arrives and awaken to celebrate mass with the Holy Father the next day. Some bring small tents and some just rough it with their sleeping bag in the open air. Honestly, I wimp out on this and head back to my nice hotel bed, but my colleagues from Charis braved the elements. Like Brianna:
But lack of sleep is not the kicker. As I was walking around the campgrounds I came upon three young men (I’d guess they were 18-19) putting up a tent. Three young women yelled their way, “You guys, we’re all set for toni—” and she tripped over something and went flying. Oh, but that’s still not the kicker. The kicker was that the bag she was holding also went flying and out of that bag flew about a dozen condoms which landed at my feet!
She looked at me and said, “Ah, um, you see, we saw people distributing these and so we decided to collect them so they wouldn’t give them out to anyone else.”
Right! And I’m Pope Benedict.
True stories all.
Now that said, I’m sure this is not the normal state of affairs (no pun intended) for World Youth Day attendees. And I write it not out of shock value, but rather to make sure that my colleagues who take teens and young adults to the event consider that the possibility for easy sexual access is great.
So as you travel to be with the Holy Father, this time in Madrid, beware of the booty call, have a great time and most of all keep us in your prayers.