Over the course of Friday and Saturday, our somascan pilgrims boarded planes destined for their pilgrimages in the Holy Land and Italy.
Those from Sydney stopped over at Hong Kong airport and took the long layover to refresh and regroup before their final flight to Tel Aviv, Israel, early Sunday Morning.
As the final plane of pilgrims arrived in Hong Kong, Fr Chris de Sousa CRS, Assistant Priest at St Joseph’s Moorebank and St Christopher’s Holsworthy celebrated a Mass for the group with Fr Dan McCaughan, parish priest of St Patrick’s Surry Hills, in one of the airports private rooms for multi-faith worship.
Celebrating on the Feast of St Mary Magdalene, Fr Chris spoke on the connections between how St Mary Magdalene approached the empty tomb then and how we will approach it now on pilgrimage.
“She remained in the tomb, weeping, sacrificed her time and everything to stay there at the tomb,” said Fr Chris in his homily to the youth, who included those from across Sydney, University Chaplaincies and the Tongan Youth community.
“We too, as pilgrims, have sacrificed our time, financial sacrifices as well, to journey, to also be at that empty tomb.
“‘Jesus has conquered sin and death and we rejoice in this. He’s delivered us.
“And just like when St Mary Magdalene came to recognise our Lord, when we recognise His presence felt there in the Holy Land, together with the millions at World Youth Day, and then together with our Blessed Mother in Fatima, that we too will be spurred on this mission.”
After some time for food and fellowship, the group boarded their flight to begin their second day on pilgrimage and the first in the Holy Land.