Let us keep our hearts burning: recalling World Youth Day 2002.

Already fading may our memories be of those few short days when Pope John Paul II was with us in Toronto. For months before this great event, we heard the reports about his ill health, about the crisis in the Church. Some even said that he would do well to retire from the Pontificate. Many doubted that he would make it to Toronto.

But then he walked down the stairs from his aircraft, instead of using the hydraulic lift prepared for him. And as he descended, step by step, he showed us once again how the spirit triumphs over human weakness. Regardless of health or any other reason, he made the effort to be with the youth of the world. He brought a message not only for us, but for the world.

Not just with that first inspiring act of will, but throughout John Paul's seven days in Ontario he refused to let physical limitations be a hindrance to his mission of love and of restoring hope in the hearts of the young and not so young. Even the short rest provided him at a lake north of Toronto was used for evangelization. Someone loaned his boat so the Holy Father could be taken to greet local people. John Paul didn't underplay the fact of his age; rather he used it to advantage.

"You are young and the Pope is old. Eighty-two years is not the same as 22 or 23. But the Pope still fully identifies with your hopes and aspirations," he said. "Although I have lived through much darkness, under harsh totalitarian regimes. I have seen enough evidence to be unshakably convinced that no difficulty, no fear is so great that it can completely suffocate the hope that springs eternal in the hearts of the young. Do not let that hope die! Stake your lives on it! We are the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our capacity to become the image of His Son" (Homily, Sunday, July 28).

The Pope's week was indeed a triumph of the grace of Christ over human frailty, over negative, bitter opinions about the Church, over hardened hearts, doubts, and fears of terrorism. With him we lived a week of grace. St. Peter's shadow fell on people and they were healed. We felt that same shadow fall on us.

When the Pope spoke to us, he actually brought us back 2000 years to the shores of the Sea of Galilee to hear the words of Jesus speaking to each one of us:

"On a hillside near the Lake of Galilee, Jesus' disciples listened to his gentle and urgent voice...The Lord spoke words of life that echo forever in the hearts of his followers. Today he is speaking the same words to you...Listen to the voice of Jesus in the depths of your hearts" (Homily, Sunday, July 28).

This shower of grace wasn't limited to Catholics or to those who were registered for World Youth Day. It fell upon our city and even our country. Non-Catholics, Jews, Muslims, and people of no particular faith were touched. His visit made a difference for all of us.

Pope John Paul II was really a father for us. So many people broke down in tears at the mere sight of him as he approached in the popemobile. Our hearts were filled with anticipation as the army helicopters circled the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition for the welcome ceremony on July 25. One newspaper reporter confessed that she was among those who shed tears on seeing the Pope.

Address of Thursday July 25

The Holy Father brought us close to Jesus:

"Looking at his life anew, rereading the Gospel, we marvel: the poorest of the poor, the most gentle among the meek, the person with the purest and most merciful heart is none other than Jesus. The beatitudes are nothing more than a description of a face, His Face!"

Why did John Paul's presence bring us so much grace? Why was Peter's shadow healing? Because of his deep personal contact with Jesus Christ, and because of the mission entrusted to Peter: "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it."

John Paul assured us that Jesus wants to have a deep personal contact with each one of us: "Only Jesus is the true master, only Jesus speaks the unchanging message that responds to the deepest longings of the human heart, because He alone knows what is in each person. Today He calls you to be the salt and light of the world... to believe in Jesus means to accept what He says, even when it runs contrary to what others are saying."

At the Saturday night vigil he continued to inspire us. "Christ alone is the cornerstone on which it is possible to build one's existence. Only Christ--known, contemplated and loved--is the faithful-friend who never lets us down, Who becomes our travelling companion and Whose words warm our hearts."

The Pope was very clear in telling us that we need to seek Jesus not just individually, but as a body in the Church. He wasn't afraid of mentioning the horrible scandals in the Church either. But that incredible power of Christ in his Church was what we experienced that week. That overflowing presence of God brought us real peace and joy. Let us not stop praying that this grace of World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto will bear much fruit and urge us onward in building the civilization of love.