On Sunday, July 6th 2008, I began my pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Sydney. I couldn't believe it was actually beginning. There were about twenty-five young people going from Dundalk and we all got a coach from St. Patrick's Church. After two and a half hours, getting lost on the way, we finally arrived at Belfast City Airport. We flew from Belfast to Heathrow. We had a two-hour wait in Heathrow before boarding our twenty-hour flight. We finally boarded our plane.

Everyone was really nervous. The flight went really quickly and before we knew it, eleven hours had passed and we had a 'stop-off' in Hong Kong. After another nine hours we finally landed in New Zealond. We then has a six-hour bus journey. We arrived at a Community School, where we got a Mauri welcome from all the local people. This consisted of their native dance and singing. Every Mauri person present had to welcome us individually. This meant we had to shake hands with each person and touch noses and foreheads. It was very funny. After that, we all got to meet our host families. The week in New Zealand went really quickly and we got to do lots of activities. At the end of our week in New Zealand we had a closing Mass with the Cardinal from the area we were staying in. This Mass was very special but it was also very sad because we had all become close with our host families.

After another six-hour bus ride back to Aukland, we flew to Sydney. When we arrived in Sydney we were amazed. There were people everywhere, different pilgrims from all over the world. We were brought by bus to another community school were once again, we were welcomed by all the local people. We met our new host families and headed home with them. The next morning, all the pilgrims from the Armagh diocese met with others who had travelled from Ireland, in St. Charles Church for catechesis. This happened each morning.

Tuesday July 15th was the first official day of WYD. We had our opening Mass at 4.30pm. It was amazing to see 700,000 young people gathered in one place. There was a sea of flags from all over the world to be seen.

On thursay the 17th the Pope arrived. Every pilgrim walked 12 Kms to Barangaroo. We walked through the whole city, across Harbour Bridge. The atmosphere was amazing! Everyone was singing and they were in high spirits. When we arrived at Barangaroo, we couldn't believe we had such a good view. I couldn't believe it, when I saw the Pope arrive. A silence fell as he was welcomed. Then the Pope welcomed us with loving prayers. he then went through the crowds in his Pope Mobile. When he passed me, my heart skipped a beat. The feeling and sense of the Holy Spirit upon me was amazing. My eyes filled with joyful tears. It didn't seem real until moment.

On Saturday night we slept under the stars. This night was so special. There was a sea of people together. On Sunday we had our final Mass with the Pope. I couldn't believe it was all coming to an end. Over all my trip was fantastic and I got a lot out of it. I deepened my faith and I also learned a lot about myself.

Orla Sheridan: Dundalk