In Basilian Fathers' Retreat Center on Lake Simcoe
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 18, 2002 (Zenit.org).- Before World Youth Day, John Paul II will spend three days of rest on Strawberry Island, in Lake Simcoe, about 70 kilometers north of Toronto.
The Vatican Press Office made the announcement today when it published the program of the Pope's 97th pastoral trip, which will take him to Canada, Guatemala and Mexico, from July 23 to Aug. 2.
Given that the trip will impede the Pontiff's going on his usual holiday in the Italian Alps, the Vatican asked the Organizing Committee of the Canadian visit to identify a quiet spot where the Pope could rest from July 23 in the afternoon until July 27 in the morning.
Basilian Father Thomas Rosica, national director of World Youth Day 2002, immediately thought of his congregation's retreat-vacation center on Strawberry Island in Ontario.
"I remember the day I went and asked our superior general, Father Ronald Fabbro, if I could use the island for a week this summer for some foreign guests attending World Youth Day. When I told him who I was thinking of, he laughed and so did many others. No one believed it!" Father Rosica said.
"I took the Vatican advance team to the island by military helicopter last fall," he said. "They loved it at first sight. It is beautiful, quiet, isolated and easily protected. All levels of security said we could not choose a better location."
The Basilian religious are working to promote World Youth Day. They had 450,000 small wooden crosses hand carved in two of the areas where that work in Medellin and Bogota, in Colombia. The Pope will give these crosses to the young pilgrims at the event. Several Basilian buildings and institutions in Toronto are being used for World Youth Day.
A group of young volunteers are now working with Father Dennis Kauffman, the local superior of Strawberry Island, to fix up the papal apartments.
The center on Strawberry Island has a chapel dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. There are many outdoor paths along the lake, and an outdoor, wooden and bronze Stations of the Cross. The site can accommodate up to 75 people. During the Holy Father's stay, there will be a small, restricted group of people, allowing John Paul II to have maximum privacy and rest.
The federal government of Canada has provided specially fitted golf carts so that the Pope may go out for rides during the day on the island, as well as during his stay with the Sisters of St. Joseph in Toronto. He will also be able to take boat rides on Lake Simcoe.
On Tuesday afternoon, July 23, upon landing in Toronto's Lester B. Pearson international airport, after a brief welcoming ceremony John Paul II will travel to Strawberry Island by military helicopter.
On Thursday afternoon, July 25, the Pope will travel by helicopter to Toronto to participate in the WYD welcoming ceremony in the Palace of Exhibitions, and return to the island later that night.
On Saturday morning, July 27, the Holy Father will leave the island and go to Toronto to preside over public gatherings and participate that night in a WYD vigil.
ZENIT - The World Seen from Rome
18. juni 2002