Cologne, Germany, Aug 21, 2005 / 22:00 pm
It was a sight to remember. Nearly 700,000 pilgrims joined Pope Benedict XVI Saturday in the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the evening vigil of World Youth Day 2005.
The young pilgrims stood in silence and knelt on the damp ground of Marienfeld for nearly 20 minutes to worship Jesus Christ, in Eucharist, which was placed in a monstrance on the main altar. The Pope was on a kneeler in front of the monstrance.
For Vincent Fernandez, a German pilgrim of Indian heritage, adoration was the most significant part of the evening. The Blessed Sacrament was brought to a tent, in the center of Marienfeld, which would remain open all night long.
“The most impressive thing about the vigil was the Pope kneeling before Jesus Christ,” said Fernandez, 25. “This is the first time I see the Pope and it was very special to see him kneel before the Blessed Sacrament.”