Awakening 2011 Birmingham - Day 1 to Day 5

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End'' Revelation 22:13

Awakening Day 1 (9th of April 2011)

First Region : Birmingham

Blessed Robert Grissold Roman Catholic Church, Meeting House Lane, Balsall Common, CV7 7FX.

Date & Time: 9^th March 2011 (9 am) – 14^th March 2011 (9 am).

As we entered the season of Lent this Ash Wednesday marked a the beginning of yet another special event for the Jesus Youth in the UK.We were privileged to have His grace Arch Bishop Bernard Longley of the Birmingham Arch Diocese, inaugurate the 100 days of Perpetual adoration "AWAKENING 2011" at the Blessed Robert Grissold Church Birmingham.Our hearts were filled with Joy as we started this walk together with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, along with His grace Arch Bishop Bernard Longley, Fr. Dominic, Fr. Soji, Sr. Luke, Sr. Ancilla, our Jesus Youth elders and family, and the Local Parish community. The inauguration was a true evidence of Holy Spirit working through Jesus Youth movement and making it a time of blessings for everyone.

All though it was a working day, children had school, colleges, University, still more then 65 people took efforts and sacrifice to come and joined for the Inauguration from different parts of Birmingham and the rest of the UK, many others had strong desire to come couldn't make it, but they were all with us in prayers.

(Abstract from Jitto David's email dated 11 March 2011)

My experience at Day 1 of Awakening

Before coming for Awakening, for the inauguration, I was in a very confused state-many blocks came up- we accidently booked our ticket twice, & we reached late for the inauguration & walked for an hour to reach the Church! But the Lord showed us the path in the end, and we reached just before the Mass. We had a lovely morning and afternoon sitting before the Lord. But when it was time to go back in the afternoon we realised without checking correctly, we purchased an off peak return ticket and not a same day return ticket! So thinking over, we thought we will remain back and travel the next day morning. This was a miracle for us & it made us stay overnight. It was a lovely experience staying here & feeling the Lord s presence- His love and His blessings which he showers on us. Also, I had a unique experience yesterday- gazing at the Blessed Sacrament, I felt I could see light come out from the host. And at night, I could see the Host grow bigger in size and come out of the monstrance. I wish I could have spent more time before the Lord. And I want to go to the other nearby cities for Awakening as well. Thanks to Fr Soji for the wonderful Mass, through which we got a good understanding of how to change during Lenten season. Also I am very thankful to Sister Ancilla & Freju for their love and help, and especially their prayers for us all throughout the day & night.

My testimony

From my school days till this day, the Lord Jesus has given me little experiences of Himself. Though I did not Him personally, there was always something that would bring me to notice Jesus- during schooling in a Catholic School and college, and attending Mass during my days in degree college. These introduced me and brought me like Jesus, and enjoy going to a Church. After coming last year to the UK for my studies, I had a deep experience of the real presence of the Lord at a weekend retreat in Llandudno, N. Wales. From there faith and trust came in Him just came from within, and I was drawn much more closer to the Lord. This trust and faith has changed my whole life situation. And I started getting many beautiful encounters with the Living Lord in my daily life. Getting baptised and confirmed in the Catholic faith was the biggest miracle for me, and a big step for in my life. And I had an amazing experience at my Baptism. When I received my first holy communion, I felt so fulfilled with his presence. As I took the bread and wine, I felt that the Lord’s holy blood, flow through my body is cleansing each and every sin, in every cell of my body. And from then I felt that the body of our Lord was making me more pure, humble and kind. At the second time I received this sacrament, I felt bitterness in my mouth, that remained till the evening, which was just amazing to feel. At every Mass I receive a new and rich experience of the Lord. At St Francis’s Church (in Chester) there is a statue of our Lord Jesus, where His Body lies in Mother Mary’s lap & there is a crown of thorns beside them on the ground. I felt in my mind, that I was reaching out to touch it, and as I did that the Holy blood started running down all over my hand. This I felt during Mass after the consecration. Now what I just long for, is to be in His presence and go deep into His love & fell His love for me. And also I want to be like a channel from Him to all youngsters and all people, to ask them to place their trust in Him and he is the one to make miracles and dreams come true in their life.

Priya (Chester)

Day 5

I am just going to share a bit about my experience and how I felt sitting in front of the blessed sacrament yesterday and today morning (Day 5). Well, for me nothing major has happened but every time I sit in front of the blessed sacrament I feel like praying continuously. I think most of you know I get bored of too much praying....joking(but half true).....but seriously I don't generally pray as much and with so much concentration as I would in front of the blessed sacrament. But whenever I sit before the Lord I just feel so much relaxed and calm and all my frustrations on people and studies just suddenly dissappears....although this relaxed mood only last for few days.....but still, atleast I can assure myself that I will be nice and calm for few days.....not that I am an aggressive or violent person but I just get tensed easily with so much things especially my studies.....so for me I always love sitting in front of Jesus and I feel like praying like crazy.....cause after that it makes me feel good (you know relaxed!).Personally, I think sitting in front of the blessed sacrament is the best way to communicate with Jesus because the atmosphere and the surrounding is just different,so different that I myself cannot explain, but hope you all know what I mean. This is not just in one adoration or at a particular place but anywhere where the blessed sacrament is exposed I get this same feeling. When I close my eyes I feel that He is sitting in front of me and I become so comfortable that I start to have a general conversation with Jesus ( You wouldn't want to know what conversation I have,l but its all cool! (so now you know my reason for not getting bored during adoration)

So I recommend everyone especially the youth and young adults to spend as many hours you can in front of the blessed sacrament when it comes to your city because I know that during this phase of life (teens to adults) we go through a lot of changes in life and have to learn a lot from life which, at times, can be quite challenging and difficult. So my dear friends make the most of it for he is waiting to see you and sort out all your worries. Whenever I have offered up anything to Jesus, he has always helped me find the way! (the correct way)...so offer everything to him and let his will be done on you.

That's my long and lasting experience :) Hoping to see many more testimonies.....I love to read about miracles and God speaking to people. It never happens to me (expected)....but if you experience it then do share it because it gives me hope that one day I will experience the same.That's all from me now....take care and God bless u all!

Lots of Love and prayers

Shelina Guedes