In spite of communism

Together with Swiss (see SirEurope 64/2007), Norwegians (SirEurope 73/2007), English (SirEurope 78/2007), Dutch, Italians and Bulgarians (SirEurope 1/2008), Lithuanian and Hungarian youth will also be found among the international participants at the next World Youth Day (WYD) in Sydney (15-20 July 2008). They will be there not in large numbers, but in small delegations: enough, however, to show the great interest aroused in these countries in WYD. Many will remain at home, but for them an alternative programme is being prepared that will permit them to follow in real time what is happening in Sydney. To learn more of WYD preparations in these countries, SIR met Dalia Maceviciute and Szuszanna Polgar , respectively in charge of youth pastoral work in Vilnius in Lithuania and in Hungary.How many youth will participate in WYD in Sydney?Maceviciute: “some thirty youth from the diocese of Vilnius will travel to Sydney to participate in WYD. The interest and emotion in these youngsters who have made so many sacrifices to be able to participate is great. But what I really want to stress is that the majority of them were able to rediscover God and so return to a life of faith by participating in the previous World Youth Days in Rome and Cologne. The journey to Australia is long and costly, but they have no fear. They have worked so hard for Sydney and many have run up debts to be able to participate. They are also preparing themselves spiritually with monthly meetings thanks to the support of our Lithuanian pastoral team and the Australian organizing committee. We are also planning events for the many youth who will not be able to go and will stay at home”. Polgar: “from Hungary too some thirty youth will leave for Sydney. Financial reasons explain the low participation. The Hungarian Bishops’ Conference cannot contribute to bearing the costs, but is making efforts to organize an event in Hungary to coincide with WYD in Sydney. This will take the form of four days of celebration, from 17 to 20 July, inspired by the theme of the Day “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you”. There will be link-ups with Sydney, even if the final Mass will take place in Australia when it’s two o’clock in the morning in Budapest, Some 5-6,000 young people are expected to attend this event, not only from Hungary, but also from Slovakia and Romania, where there are youth of Hungarian origin”. WYD has always been an occasion for spiritual exchange. What will your youth testify to their Australian counterparts?Maceviciute: “Lithuanians will testify to a persecuted faith that has resisted and survived in spite of the dictatorship of Communism. There’s a young generation of believers in Lithuania, born from the many martyrs who sacrificed their life for the faith. They are too young to have experienced or lived under the Communist regime, but their faith has been kindled thanks to those who, before them, lost their life for God”. Polgar: “like the Lithuanians, Hungarian youth too will bear witness to a faith that is alive, in spite of decades of oppression under the Communist regime. But I think that for them too it will be important to share their faith in Christ with others of their own age, because by doing so they will no longer feel alone. The fact is that today in Hungary those who profess to be Christians, especially among the new generations, risk being made fun of or marginalized. Despite that, there are many who don’t disguise their faith”. Maceviciute: “the fact of not feeling themselves alone is shared by Lithuanian youth. And this makes them more curious and eager to learn of other experiences of faith. They will go to Sydney also to exchange spiritual ideas, experiences and moments”.Speaking of Europe, is there something that the youth of Eastern and Western Europe can give to each other in terms of faith?Maceviciute: “it’s important for Lithuanians to get to know the great and uninterrupted tradition of faith in Western Europe. The lack of this is felt in Lithuania. It’s more difficult for us to transmit the founding values of our faith, precisely because it is devoid of a tradition. There’s a lack of continuity with the past. In our country people aren’t accustomed much to celebrating the saints, as in other countries of Catholic tradition. The dictatorship wiped out everything. I would also like to bring back to Lithuania the value of common prayer at home or in groups. To Western Europe, in turn, I would donate the curiosity and open-mindedness of Lithuanian youth. Because while it’s true that Europe is united today, it’s also true that a wall of individualism, especially in the new generations, resists”. Polgar: “in Hungary we feel very much the lack of an organized Church of the kind that exists in many Western countries. In Budapest the situation is better, but in the rest of the country the lack of it is felt. What I would like to bring to Hungary are the parishes, religious congregations and movements because they would help us bring back many more young people to the Church. From Hungary I would like to bring to others the conviction of those faithful, also young, who profess themselves Christians in spite of the many difficulties. A witness that overcomes every obstacle”. What do you expect from WYD in Sydney?Maceviciute-Polgar: “a powerful action of the Holy Spirit, a strengthening of the faith. Undoubtedly the Pope’s words will show us the direction we need to follow to be ever more faithful to the Gospel, and lastly, as is the tradition of WYD, we expect many vocations for our countries and for Europe. WYD won’t end in Sydney, but will continue in our cities and in our nations”.