Behind main stage at Copacabana after Mass
I just got home from WYD Opening Mass, overflowing with joy! Yesterday I went to bed a little sad because of the protest. How was it possible that a few people carrying the flag of violence and hate could get more attention than 1.5 million pilgrims with a message of love and hope? When I was on bed thinking and praying about it, the rain started to pour and continued throughout the night and the following day. I said to myself “the rain is a good thing; no one likes to protest during storm, right?”
When I woke up the following morning I was more at peace, but the storm was still going on. I spent the whole morning doing my homework. They gave me the scripts of the Opening Mass that I would simultaneously translate later, so that I could get ready. I started to be worried that with that rain it would be rough for the pilgrims to get to Copacabana, it was a really miserable weather (I can’t believe that yesterday I was at Ipanema Beach catching some waves).
Pilgrims take to the subway
Before going to Copacabana for the Opening Ceremony, I had visited a dry cleaning shop near the place where I was going to work (my Legionary suit looks really bad). The lady at the shop told me that the suit was going to be ready in a week and I replied, “I am a religious and I am working at WY; I need it very much.” She said to bring the suit and she would make sure that it was cleaned. When I returned to get it, all the ladies working there had WYD shirts!
On my way to Copacabana I could see that the whole city swarming with pilgrims. Streets, bus stops, metro stations, everything was taken over by the pilgrims. I never saw so many people in my life. Everyone had flags from their countries (in some cases even states, like several flags from California that I encountered). Also, they were all singing, cheering, talking to everyone. It was an ecclesial communion overdose (in a positive sense of course).
When I arrived at Copacabana I made my way to the studio, which is located right behind the main stage. There they gave me a new identity card that I was supposed to wear around my neck all the time. The studio was inside a trailer. There were actually three trailers, one for English, Spanish and Italian, other for Polish, German and French, and finally a main trailer for the Portuguese transmission of the radio. A Brazilian Priest was coordinating the whole broadcasting. It seems that also our translation was made available for any international TVs. I was so nervous about doing the translation. I felt butterflies the whole day, but I could not give up.
Br Antonio and new friend from Ohio
I was not by myself though; Peter from Pittsburgh was doing the Translation with me. He is an excellent translator. He speaks excellent Portuguese, although English is his first language. I would do most of the commentaries about the liturgy, and he would translate the main parts like the homily. It seems that it worked well. I was very satisfied with the whole thing; it was easier than what I expected.
The Mass was spectacular; it was so amazing to see so many bishops, deacons and priests from different backgrounds together celebrating with the People of God. The whole Church was present with us. Despite the rain, everyone was so joyful! I could feel the presence of all those that accompany us in prayers. That is a huge sign of the mystery of the Church. Now WYD officially started! The pilgrims, bishops, and the Pope are here gathered around Christ (by the way my studio was very close to the place where the bishops were getting ready for Mass;, I never saw so many of them together).
On the way back we had the same amazing experience. I talked to several groups, especially English speakers to ask if they have listened the radio. Many of them did and it seems they had a good experience about the translation, like the group from Brooklyn. They were really happy to find someone from New York! Also, I met a guy from Ohio who came with Fr Jacob DuMont LC from Chicago. I’ve been looking for someone from Ohio since I arrived; Fr Stephen Ellis asked me to say hi on his behalf to someone from Ohio, so I finally did! I also found a group from Canada that was completely lost and we helped them to find their bus, they were very grateful afterwards.
Now I am home, and the rain is still pouring outside. I must go to bed, it is past mid night and tomorrow is another intense day, because WYD has finally begun!!!
