Perhaps the best thing of my experience of the Students' Cross, that immediately comes to my mind, is the time interacting with the youngsters for practically a whole week, especially during the journey. By the end of the day, with my feet aching so much, I barely could pray. Beyond my feet, my mind, could not think or feel any divine inspiration! But observing the youngsters in the group and listening to them, often their deepest personal experiences and aspirations was a good reminder of being a Salesian.
The fact that they knew each other or at least had common friends because of whom getting to know those whom they had never met before, was pretty fast, as fast as snapping one's fingers. That really bonded the group almost instantly. Most of the youngsters were very very pious and highly determined about undertaking this gruelling walk in its entirety. Most were also first time walkers. I could clearly see that they had their 'need' for undertaking this walk pretty clear and pressing - even if not all shared that with me.
'Unfortunately' they were all from very devout families and had a thorough Christian upbringing. In that sense devotion was not something they had 'acquired' by themselves - they were brought up in it. Nonetheless, their effort at understanding it and living by it was something very very amazing for me. They were very convinced of why they were doing it. I knew for sure that some of them were really struggling to walk towards the end of the day - just as I was - but it was as if the option of sitting it out for a while or giving it up was never there. There were times that I really wished to take a break, though never felt that tired to give it up entirely. But none of them seemed to even entertain that thought! It was as if they were just walking! Moreover not one of them was moaning about their pains and aches. Contrary to complaining they actually were cheerful - and chirpy - all day and night long!
One of the things that saddened me a bit was that there were no youngsters in the whole lot of pilgrims (300 or so) who was there to really 'explore' one's faith and devotion. Given that our group was the only other group which had new comers - that too a sizeable number - I gather that it was almost like fishing in a water tank! That does not discount in any way the courage and depth of each of those youngsters who undertook the pilgrimage. But it does raise the question of why don't other youngsters, especially native youngsters for whom faith is something not offered in families or at home, undertake this journey? Perhaps those who did try it are already hooked on to it and are now returners. Perhaps they have found other more meaningful ways of living out their faith and devotion. Or perhaps faith itself is not something that makes sense to them.
The fact that they knew each other or at least had common friends because of whom getting to know those whom they had never met before, was pretty fast, as fast as snapping one's fingers. That really bonded the group almost instantly. Most of the youngsters were very very pious and highly determined about undertaking this gruelling walk in its entirety. Most were also first time walkers. I could clearly see that they had their 'need' for undertaking this walk pretty clear and pressing - even if not all shared that with me.
'Unfortunately' they were all from very devout families and had a thorough Christian upbringing. In that sense devotion was not something they had 'acquired' by themselves - they were brought up in it. Nonetheless, their effort at understanding it and living by it was something very very amazing for me. They were very convinced of why they were doing it. I knew for sure that some of them were really struggling to walk towards the end of the day - just as I was - but it was as if the option of sitting it out for a while or giving it up was never there. There were times that I really wished to take a break, though never felt that tired to give it up entirely. But none of them seemed to even entertain that thought! It was as if they were just walking! Moreover not one of them was moaning about their pains and aches. Contrary to complaining they actually were cheerful - and chirpy - all day and night long!
One of the things that saddened me a bit was that there were no youngsters in the whole lot of pilgrims (300 or so) who was there to really 'explore' one's faith and devotion. Given that our group was the only other group which had new comers - that too a sizeable number - I gather that it was almost like fishing in a water tank! That does not discount in any way the courage and depth of each of those youngsters who undertook the pilgrimage. But it does raise the question of why don't other youngsters, especially native youngsters for whom faith is something not offered in families or at home, undertake this journey? Perhaps those who did try it are already hooked on to it and are now returners. Perhaps they have found other more meaningful ways of living out their faith and devotion. Or perhaps faith itself is not something that makes sense to them.
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