World Youth Day 2008 - Penang Island Diocese vigil

Pope John Paul said in one of the earlier World Youth Day that one will feel young when one is with the youth. So, I took the Pope’s advice and gate crashed the Penang Island Diocese vigil in conjunction with World Youth Day 2008. The vigil is held in Our Lady of Sorrows city parish on 19th July till 20th July 2008. The above is the photo of OLS church.

Father Dominic, the parish priest of OLS lighting the candle. The bonfire was one of the highlight. The fire was ’sent down from heaven’ (more like the third floor of the church) to start it.

Do you see a fire devil in action like running? Maybe my imagination is too vivid.

Inside of the church.

My second son with his own camera.

Actually, I was suppose to drop my #3 son at Holy Spirit Cathedral to take the bus to OLS but we were 10 minutes too late as we had to attend a birthday party earlier on. So, I drove him to OLS which is in town. Being a Saturday night, the whole Macalister Road was jammed and I couldn’t find a parking after two rounds around Penang Road. I was so worried because the car wasn’t allowed into the church compound and with me, was my Nikon DSLR that costs a bomb.

I was so scared of parking far away as there are lots of snatch thieves. Moreover, when I need to return home which is in the wee hours of the morning, I will be walking alone. So, I told him, “Start praying already, or you are not getting down the car!” I wanted to accompany him for a while to see that he mingles well as the event was for 13 yrs old youths and above but my son is only 11 years old. The two of us then kept mumbling, “Lord Jesus, please find a parking for us.” That’s faith for you.

And walau-eh, there is really a parking lot right across the church, after our second round of searching. I got down from the car (not realising we are across the church) and asked my son, “Now, where is the church?” (the church building is located in the inner side of two large buildings. He asked me if I am taking care of him or is he taking care of me. Hahaha.

I stayed till about 2+ am because there are enough helpers and my kid is enjoying himself. I had a nice time in worship and some of the songs are my favourites like Our Father by Don Moen.

All the World Youth Day vigil photos can be found in my Flickr album.