By Kathi Stearns

They called it a pilgrimage. It started with 21 miles, each one 5280 feet, 110,880 steps. Each step packing firm ground for the rest of their lives.

For 185 youth of the archdiocese the pilgrimage to Denver Colo. To see Pope John Paul II is complete. Having survived a 21-mile walk to Cherry Creek Park, erratic communication, a 36-hour bus ride, food lines which resulted in two-hour delays, severe rain storms, altitude changes and heat exhaustion, the pilgrimage to Denver has come to a close. Yet for Catholic youth of the archdiocese it represents a starting point.

For those who went to World Youth Day it was an adventure they will never forget. "It was the most incredible experience of my life. Finally someone has realized that the youth of today is not about the future, it is about now," Kathy Wolf, youth ministry consultant for the archdiocese and youth minister at Immaculate Heart of Mary proclaimed.

And young people responded to Pope John Paul II's message. "I think the youth of today have gotten a pretty bad reputation, and Pope John Paul took the time to get us back on course and give us the moral guidance and the renewed perspective we needed," said Tommy Taylor of All Saints Church in Dunwoody.

For many, the pilgrimage served as a spiritual awakening. Ms. Wolf said, "I was awestruck by the number of youths who had never said a rosary, and daily devotions."

"Before we made this trip saying the rosary and daily prayer was kind of unnatural, but while we were on the trip it became essential for our personal existence and growth," Dave Duval of All Saints Church said.

Seeing the pope was a very emotional experience for the group. "When we saw him fly in, you realized why you were there. The whole pilgrimage made sense," said Brigid Foster, youth minister from St. Thomas More parish in Decatur.

"I just felt overwhelmed. I felt so humbled just being in his presence. I almost started to cry. It was almost like seeing God," Audrey Ueberschaer, an All Saints parishioner recalled.

The pope "looked tired, he looked old," Father Frank Forts of St. John the Evangelist parish in Hapeville said, but he left an impression of compassion, "that he cared for you as an individual, that if he could, he would embrace each one of us individually."

Three people from the group sponsored by the Hapeville parish were fortunate enough to be invited to join the pope on stage Aug. 14 during a prayer service on the vigil of the Assumption in Cherry Creek Park.

Father Forts, Jennifer Ajoy and Oliver Lyman joined hands with people from many nations and cultures surrounding Pope John Paul II during the Lord's Prayer and the sign of peace.

Embraced by the pope, Father Forts said even that honor was topped for him by a moment during the service when a Mass choir sang and petitions were read in a variety of languages by different speakers. The Hapeville group was seated in the first row of the front section.

"Jesus broke down the barriers separating people from themselves, from one another, and from God," Father Forts said, and the vastness of the Church, the variety of its cultures and peoples were captured for him as the prayers were read and massive numbers of diverse people gathered. "That was the most significant moment for me."

Although tens of thousands of people were milling around, his groups succeeded in finding other people from Atlanta in Denver, Father Forts said. Leaving Mile High Stadium with 60,000 people, "You had to walk single file, grab someone's hand or pack in front of you and form like a train," he said.

"As we were doing that, I saw Matthew Robasckiewics from St. Jude's."

While press reports emphasized the pope, "scolding American Catholics on birth control and abortion," Father Forts said he never heard such a message expressed. "I was not at every talk he gave" and the press had texts, which, in some cases the pope diverged from, but any time Father Forts heard life issues raised "it was in the context that we are a church that defends life." Ms. Foster reiterated Father Forts' concerns. "Any time the pope spoke about any issues like birth control, the unborn child and premarital sex, the kids applauded, as if to say we understand and will follow your directions."

The Hapeville group came away with a positive experience, Father Forts believes. "They formed strong bonds with one another ... you were never alone anywhere."

"Also being with so many other people their age ... and not being ashamed of being Catholic ... (it was) kind of like it's cool to be Catholic," he said.

"It was like we were one unified body of Christ," said Janice Murphy, the youth minister from All Saints. "It was as if all of a sudden it became okay for the entire world to display their Catholic faith."

Four Atlanta teens were unable to make the bus ride home due to medical concerns. "It was just a precautionary measure on our part," Ms. Murphy said. "There had been so much excitement and everything we just wanted to be sure everyone make it back safely." Ms. Murphy accompanied the youth on a plane ride home.

After the 36-hour bus ride had concluded, a renewed sense of security was felt by those who had completed the pilgrimage. "I jest feel like I understand my faith a lot more," Kathryn Walter of St. Michael's in Gainesville said.

"I guess if there is one thing I really gained from this trip it is the confidence that these youth are the future of the church and the Catholic faith will be in good hands for years to come," Ms. Murphy concluded.