WYD overseas

Chicago-Krakow: US youths are packing their luggage. Friends yearning to meet Jesus

The metropolis that borders on the Michigan Lake is among the most multiethnic cities in the United States. Almost 8% of the population has direct or distant Polish origins. Catholics under 30 are preparing to participate in the World Youth Day. They found creative jobs to pay the expensive plane ticket. And in Europe some them will embrace their relatives. But the real appointments are those with the Lord, with their peers and with Pope Francis

di Damiano Beltrami from the United States

07 Giugno 2016

The World Youth Day scheduled to take place in Krakow next July 26-31 is awaited with great anticipation, while catechesis activity and preparations for the event gather pace. Parishes, dioceses, associations and youth movements are fully mobilized. At least 30 thousand US youths will soon be leaving for Poland. One of the most active among US dioceses and archdioceses is that of Chicago, where nearly 80% of the overall population is of Polish origins.

With rucksacks on their shoulders. “I like the idea of meeting Catholics my age arriving from almost 200 different Countries. It’s incredible, when you come to think of it”, Kasia, 16, parishioner from St. Michael’s church in Chicago, told SIR. “Then, while in Poland, I would like to visit my aunt and uncle who live in Lublin. My parents moved to the United States when they were young, before I was born.”

The journey cost a considerable amount of money. Was it a problem? “I earned a part of the sum with small web-graphic projects, another part of the sum came from an old-style source of income: I wash my parents’ and my neighbours’ cars a couple of times every month.”

Dreaming Europe. Manuel, 18, lives in Pilsen, the Hispanic neighbourhood in Chigago. He too is preparing to leave to attend the WYD. “For me going to Krakow is a way of saying, ‘hey Jesus I love you. You inspire me with your words and with your deeds. I want to do my best to follow you example.” “I must admit – Manuel continued – that for me it won’t be the first time outside the United States. I am of Mexican origin. I’ve seen Europe only through the Internet and on TV. I want to find out what will be its impact on me. And I would like to meet Francis. When will I ever have another opportunity to listen to the words of a Pope who speaks my language?” He continued with an excited tone: “I already have the plane tickets, for me and my younger sister, Paloma, who is 15 years old. I can afford it. I set up a small business a few years ago where I work most weekends and during the summer: I cut the grass of villas in a borough north of Chicago.”

Soul and kitchen. Mania, 17, of Polish background, has an equally entrepreneurial spirit. She is a doc “chicagoan”. She put together the sum needed to participate in the WYD by doing small writing and editing jobs, and by working as assistant to her father, a piano tuner.

“The World Youth Day is a spiritual experience that I’m sure will enrich me”, Mania said.

“I can’t wait to finally discover Poland with my own eyes. My parents have been talking to me about it since I was born, but they never brought me there! I want to taste typical dishes like the pierogi, (Polish ravioli stuffed with meat or mushrooms), and the famous szarlotka, a delicious apple pie. I admit I have a sweet tooth, good to know I will have the opportunity to make confessions…”

Family and community. “Being members of a church is uncommon among youths in my school”, said Dominique, 17, “and if you talk about it you risk being teased. But I’m happy in the youth parish group, where you don’t have to be a Hollywood star to make friends.

That’s what I am looking forward to in Poland: to find a community of friends who believe in Jesus and wants to spend some pleasant days together.

My 85-year-old maternal grandmother still lives in Poland, in Siepraw, a village 20 minutes south of Krakow by car. I haven’t seen her since I was five. It will be an opportunity to spend some days together after the WYD.” Dominique added: “As regards financial resources, I work in a fast-food and I put some money aside in the past months. The exchange rate should be favourable. I hope to have enough money for the trip.” Travel costs are a recurring theme among these youths, but more than that there emerges the wish to spend time together, to make a powerful experience of faith. Families are on their side; the parishes support them. All considered, Krakow is not far away.