2025.3.27-4.6

Bangladesh is an unfamiliar country to most people, and I was asked to join only a week before departure. However, those two facts made it seem like destiny. The thought, “If not me, who could go?” helped me overcome my fear. It would be an adventure to carry the Cross and Icon in an Islamic country, where even getting through customs was uncertain. However, I believe that if everything is easy and comfortable, it’s not a true pilgrimage.

Every time I was anxious, I remembered my mother’s words: “Whatever your tasks are, it’s the Lord’s will, so don’t worry.” I was able to take courage only when I fixed in my heart that the Lord would be with me in every difficult moment. I boarded the plane resolved to meet with other young people and share our common faith, becoming an instrument of comfort through the cross. I wasn’t sure what I would face in the days to come, but I was ready to face my true self on this path the Lord had prepared.

Our Pilgrimage Together

With no direct flights, it took 12 hours to get to Bangladesh from Korea, and having to wait three hours for visa processing was a practice in patience. Arriving in Dhaka after midnight, the power kept cutting out and I woke up drenched in sweat every hour thanks to the 28℃ (82℉) heat. I only later learned that I had been sick the entire ten days of our trip. It was such a hectic schedule that I only felt the pain right before we left to go back to Korea. I lost four kilograms (nine pounds) over the course of the trip, but my exhaustion turned to joy every time I saw the smiles on the young people’s faces.

My refuge was the Holy Rosary Church, the largest church in Bangladesh. We celebrated Mass here and promoted WYD Seoul 2027, with our conversations uniting us in faith. The most memorable moment was the procession with the Cross from the church to a boarding school and hospital for people with disabilities. For those living as minorities in an Islamic nation, the WYD Cross was not just a symbol, but a shelter they could lean on and rest in.

The sight of the faithful reverently greeting the Cross and Icon in a traditional Bangladeshi manner touched me deeply, and the clear, innocent gazes of the children who welcomed me in my hanbok and showered me with flower petals broke down every linguistic and cultural barrier. Though physically difficult, those ten days were filled with a warmth I’ve never felt before. At the end of this miraculous pilgrimage, I began to look forward to seeing those bright smiles again at WYD Seoul 2027.

Let’s Hear from the Locals

I felt deeply moved and spiritually grounded while participating in the pilgrimage. Walking together in prayer made me reflect on sacrifice, faith, and perseverance. It was both challenging and comforting—challenging physically and emotionally, but comforting because I felt united with others who shared the same purpose and beliefs. My most memorable moment was experiencing how warm and welcoming they were despite language and cultural differences. Sharing simple conversations, smiles, and prayers showed me that faith truly connects people beyond words. Their enthusiasm and sincerity left a lasting impression on me.

(Sister Maria Taegon Andrea)

Creating WYD Seoul 2027 Together

The young people and leaders in Bangladesh were enormously enthusiastic about participating in WYD Seoul 2027. Learning about the history of the early Church in Korea, which embraced the faith without foreign missionaries, and the stories of the martyrs left a deep impression on them, and they expressed their intent to use the Christus Vivit workbook prepared by the WYD Seoul 2027 Local Organizing Committee to spiritually nurture young people.

Local church leaders hope that participation in this World Youth Day will be more than the participation in previous ones held in Europe or the Americas, thanks to the relative closeness of Korea. At the same time, they face economic hardships and must consider how to make the trip financially feasible. Despite challenging circumstances, the Church in Bangladesh is diligently preparing for Seoul WYD and firmly believes that their young people will be reawakened through spiritual exchange with Korea.

Text and Photos: James Junsung Park