We are halfway through our pilgrimage experience and are just beginning to hit our stride. A more flexible schedule for the day allowed for a sleep-in morning for many. We met at the Dom (the Maryland flags were most helpful in today’s crowds!), and took a brief train ride across the Rhein river for our first experience of the World Youth Day meal plan.)

In a large industrial park, we made it through the crowd to receive enough food for six people to eat together. We were encouraged to share meals with our fellow pilgrims throughout the world. Fortunately, the World Youth Day planners made plastic silverware available in the pilgrims’ backpacks.

We had a little more free-time before our Dom pilgrimage. We walked down the riverside reflecting on the Beatitudes with poster scripture, quotes from church leaders and German saints, and peaceful music. As we entered the Dom, we were again impressed with the sheer height of the windows and ceilings. We viewed the relics of the three Magi.

Following the Dom, some went back across the river for an international and multi-lingual celebration of liturgy. Others attended some of the many different programs available featuring music, different prayer styles, or lectures/ discussions regarding faith.

Today, Tim Murphy celebrated his 20th birthday with us in Rome, experiencing birthday greetings in 21 different languages. The folks from the Congo sang in Swahili and Tim danced with them. Our delegation sang to him at the evening delegation meeting in English, Spanish, Italian, and German.

Richard Zak

Today I met some Köln natives, Ingel and Tom. We met them because Sr. Nora said good evening in German, and that began a three and a half hour conversation. We started off talking about Germany and asking for directions to Bonn. However, we ended up talking about politics, economics, culture, history and religion. It was n awesome experience, and a great cultural exchange. It was interrupted only by a brief exchange of flags with a group of Romanians! It is remarkable how World Youth Day has gone so far, and is continuing to bring people together – breaking linguistic and geographical boundaries.

Gail Love

Today was our 2^nd full day of World Youth Day in Cologne. We were able to sleep in a little bit longer than the previous days, but many of us decided to get up early anyway and enjoy the city. Cologne is so beautiful, and has so much to offer, from intricately detailed host Churches, to modern shops carrying various souvenirs. We also had our 1^st meal on the World youth Day meal plan. It was an interesting experience, but well worth it because we got a chance to meet more people from different countries. One group from Switzerland sang religious songs with us in two languages – English and German! It was amazing!

Becca Parrill

Today was our first real “on your own” day which enabled me to take in the city at my own pace. I’m in love with Cologne – they have beautiful structures, history, great shops, and great people. For example, tonight, while I was eating dinner, a couple of locals were sitting outside welcoming people to Cologne and wishing them well. I discovered today just how much enthusiasm there is in this city to World Youth Day. It was awesome to see youth from other countries going around singing and clapping. I went around today in a state of amazement and excitement because there are so many youth from around the world uniting in a common faith!

Lauren Presti

Currently the streets of Köln are decorated with flags and faces from nearly every country – and cheers, chants and greetings in a variety of languages fill the air! When walking among this enthusiastic crowd, I met at least fifty new faces a day. Whether a young adult from the Czech Republic, a priest from Italy or a youth from France, it was clear all share a special bond. We are a family in faith! In each of their eyes I see the Lord. Today, however, I saw a particularly vivid portrait of Christ. When walking through the Dom cathedral a girl from my parish, Bobbi spotted an Iraqi flag. Bobbi locked glances with a young man from Iraq and we walked over with no idea what we should say or how we should approach the youth from a country we are in conflict with. Bobbi looked at the boy and simply said “We love you.” He replied, “We know.” In these five simple words and a compassionate smile, both love and sorrow were revealed. Bobbi and I were shuffled back into the crowd, but in those few seconds with the youth from Iraq, I was able to witness God in two individuals from diverse countries unite!

Roberto Cartwright

Today was a very hard, hot, long and wonderful day because we took a tour around Cologne, and then toured the Cathedral. We also experienced a ride on the train which I thought was wonderful. We had fun playing volleyball in the sand and meeting other young people from around the world. We then went and got dinner and I had a gyro which was fantastic. Right now this trip is one of the best trips ever. It is awesome.

Amalia Gilberta Guevara

Hoy la jornada comenzo a las 10:30 AM despues del desayuno en el Hotel Dorint. El Padre Antonio, Angelica y yo fuimos a la ciudad de Bonn, que queda a 30 minutos sureste de Colonia en tren.

Las tiendas son mas baratas que en Colonia. La arquitectura de la ciudad de Bonn es maravillosa y antigua. Pudimos sentir la humildad de las personas de Bonn.

Lo que me encanto del dia fue el atardecer en la plaza de Weiner, que queda al frente del Rio Rhine con gente de muchos paises del mundo cantando y bailando. Nuestro pequeno grupo fue maravilloso por que estuvimos con jovenes de diferentes parroquias de Baltimore.

Realizamos una oracion con gente de Chicago y luego disfrutamos de un helado casero en una nieveria muy acogedora. Estamos listos para ver al Papa manana en la caminata.

[above translated: Today our journey began at 10:30 A.M. after having breakfast in the Dorint Hotel. Fr. Antonio, Angelica and I went to the city of Bonn which is 30 minutes southeast of Cologne by train.

In Bonn we saved money because prices are lower than in Cologne. The architecture in the city is historic and classy. Most importantly, we could feel people’s openness.

The most memorable moment of the day was watching the sunset at Weiner Plaza, which is in front of the Rhine River, with different friends we made within the archdiocese of Baltimore. We heard the singing and dancing of people from different countries around the world. We also gathered with pilgrims from Chicago and prayed with them as the sun went down.

We concluded our evening by savoring homemade ice-cream in a very hospitable café. We are now ready to see the Pope tomorrow at the parade.]

Meghan Fahey

After rendezvousing with the group through a very efficient system of flag-sighting, we were herded into the Dom. Although you are packed into the place like a sardine, you don’t care. You finally made it! There are no words to express the magnificence and awe-inspiring sight that is the inside of the Cathedral! All you can see are the heads and flags and flashes from people taking pictures. Music was playing on an organ, but, you couldn’t tell from where, until you saw one man. He was literally playing his heart out and his music was traveling everywhere.

One of the most touching moments for me was when I met a group of young Iraqi Christians, and one of them sighted my backpack. They talked to me like a person, not like an enemy because of our countries’ differences. Outside politics do not make it into the Dom.

Seeing the shrine of the Magi is beautiful. It looks like a gold house, but if you look closely you can see all the descriptive carvings that tell the story of the 3 Kings. It was very difficult to notice, but as people walked past the Shrine, the dull roar diminished to a quite hum. Everyone seems to feel the same sense of reverence and importance. There was a great feeling of peace. I feel like one more part of the puzzle is complete and we are one step closer to the bigger picture.