Pastoral Work

WOW Xperience

Throughout the year, many are those individual groups or classes from various schools, who participate in the WOW Xperience. This activity, organised since 2004, consists of moments of silence, prayers and reflections in the Millennium Chapel and meetings in the WOW building. Very often, this will be the first visit to this chapel for many youths who come to participate in this half day experience and thus, everything will be new to them. For this reason, the WOW Xperience starts with the explanation of the many symbols of colours and structures, which form part of the chapel, as well as why the chapel is referred to as a “pit-stop” and an oasis of peace. After spending some time in the chapel and saying some prayers, the youths proceed to one of the beautiful halls at the WOW building. There, they watch films and powerpoints and take part in a dialogue with Fr. Hiliary Tagliaferro OSA or some other guest about various subjects such as the beauty of life, self-esteem, human rights and other subjects which help the children grow spiritually, physically and mentally. They get to know the world famous personalities, who lost their lives because of their beliefs or who were of service to humanity like Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa and others. After a half hour break, during which the students can play billiard, tablesoccer and table tennis, they listen to personal experiences of other youths, of similar age who weren’t keen on learning at school or didn’t obey their parents and their teachers and ended up drinking or taking drugs or in jail and so destroyed their lives and their families. Most of them became parents and thus, the responsibility is greater. Since these speakers would have just finished their rehabilitation programme and are full of enthusiasm to change their life, they talk in a convincing and passionate way, which touches the hearts of youths, who listen to them.

The WOW Xperience ends at around half past twelve. Before leaving, the students are asked to sign on a flower and commit themselves to improve their way of life or that of others. These are some comments of some participants:
• “When we were in the chapel, I felt like I’m in heaven! I never felt so much close to God”!
• “Excellent! At first, I didn’t want to come but if the opportunity rises again, I would be the first to join.”
• “I never knew how much damage drugs and alcoholic drinking cause. I need to be very careful!”
• “I want to do something in my life or else I’m ruined!”