Today we woke up in Cologne, Germany. Our groups re-united at an early morning walk at the base of a massive cathedral, the Dom. Our trip has been "to get closer to God," some of us took that quite literally and climbed the 509 steps up a spiral staircase to the top of one of the spires.

Mark Pacione was greeted with much enthusiasm by his "distant Italian cousins" as he began to descend the stairwells. In our attempt to find our bearings through a new city, we struggled through the masses of dancing, cheering, praying pilgrims surrounding the Dom.

Beth Poquette

Today we saw many different groups from places like Puerto Rico, Canada, and Pittsburgh. At the Dom I met a person from California. Their group had a seventeen-hour flight. We even met someone from Russia. What I liked best, though, was when we went into a church to pray. They were having Eucharistic Adoration. I knelt next to a girl from Canada. It was enough knowing we were on the same pilgrimage and I felt a sort of kindred spirit.

Michael Croteau

Today was the official start of World Youth Day. In the afternoon, we were to go to Cologne’s stadium for the opening ceremony and Mass with the Archbishop of Cologne. But when we arrived at station to catch the tram, we quickly learned that the system was in gridlock and we could not get to the mass except by walking five miles with no guarantee we would arrive in time.

Mark Pacione quickly restructured the day and before long we participated in adoration with the sisters of charity. Afterward, we walked to another church where we held our own Mass. After Mass, we split off into smaller groups, and were allowed to explore the city and have dinner on our own. My group, the five members of St. Paul’s Church in Ellicott City, decided to walk around and find dinner in the city. In all, the day was very enjoyable, even though we were unable to do what was originally planned. Our group made friends with pilgrims from Australia, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Canada and manly other places. God truly was present in the entire day, and made our entire journey enjoyable no matter how many times the plans changed.

Kathleen and Melissa Bands

Although we were looking forward to experiencing the energy and enthusiasm of the World Youth Day crowds, a change in plans led us to spirituality of a different kind. As we were standing on the train station platform, the Holy Spirit within us inspired us to interact with other pilgrims. We began to make friends with other French, German, Italian, and Mexican youth. Trading and chanting with one another as we waited to board. The decision was made that we simply could not make it to the opening ceremony due to transportational difficulties. Instead we paraded around the town singing and screaming “Hey Baltimore” cheers to let Cologne know we here. At the end of our march, we found ourselves at a welcoming and kind church. We were allowed to hold an impromptu mass that began World Youth Day for the Baltimore Delegation. It was an interesting change of pace from the spirited antics of the walk to the tranquility of the Mass. Many parishioners who came to adore the Eucharist, stayed to pray with us. It was a truly moving service that allowed us to feel the unity of the church regardless of our situation.