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A Real Pilgrimage Experience (US Youth describes experience + 2 videos)
Footprints on the Journey ^ | August 21, 2011

Posted on 08/22/2011 7:12:42 AM PDT by NYer

What a way to end the pilgrimage! This morning, I gathered with a million other young people to celebrate at the Papal Mass, held on the Cuatro Vientos airfield. It is a moment I will not forget.
Most pilgrims headed out to the field the night before for Eucharistic Adoration with Pope Benedict XVI and spent the night sleeping out in the field. The field itself was a massive open space, mostly dirt and dust, with no shade from the sun or heat. However, that did not deter any of the pilgrims there, and merely added to the unforgettable experience. My husband and I woke up very early this morning and walked from the nearest metro (which was not that near) to the field. When we got to the main gate, we were told that we would have to go to entrance four, so we walked another half hour or so to that entrance. Below is a short video of what the crowd was like in the section in which we were sitting. Try to imagine that this was merely one small section of the crowd, and not even the main area.

CROWD AT PAPAL MASS

Even though my Spanish speaking skills are very basic, there were a few key phrases and ideas that I was able to understand in the pope’s message: young Catholics should be joyful, hopeful and work in spreading the faith. If this week has taught me anything, it did show me how those goals are one that the young Church can definitely reach.
I’d like to end with another short video, this one of part of the pilgrimage walk back to the city. This video was taken about an hour into the walk. We walked for about two and a half hours back towards our hotel (we then took a taxi the rest of the way because of the heat). What caught my attention was that even at the hottest part of the day, after sleeping outside, and celebrating Mass in a massive crowd in the heat, most pilgrims were still completely full of the spirit, and joyful.

PILGRIMAGE WALK AFTER MASS


TOPICS: Catholic; Ministry/Outreach; Worship
KEYWORDS: spain; wyd; wyd2011

Pilgrims celebrates after Pope Benedict XVI announced Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as the next World Youth Day city during a Mass, at Cuatro Vientos airbase, near Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011.
1 posted on 08/22/2011 7:12:46 AM PDT by NYer
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To: netmilsmom; thefrankbaum; Tax-chick; GregB; saradippity; Berlin_Freeper; Litany; SumProVita; ...

Pope Benedict XVI waves to pilgrims from his popemobile as he arrives to lead a mass at the Cuatro Vientos aerodrome as part of World Youth Day festivities in Madrid August 21, 2011.


Pilgrims from Brazil lift the World Youth Day cross at the end a mass led by Pope Benedict XVI at the Cuatro Vientos aerodrome in Madrid August 21, 2011. Rio de Janeiro in Brazil will be the next city to host the World Youth Day festivities.

2 posted on 08/22/2011 7:14:41 AM PDT by NYer ("Be kind to every person you meet. For every person is fighting a great battle." St. Ephraim)
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To: NYer

Thank you for sharing your wonderful, inspiring journey. Seeing the crowds gathered for Christ is truly awesome and gives one hope.


3 posted on 08/22/2011 7:29:13 AM PDT by MSSC6644 (Defeat Satan. Pray the Rosary)
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To: MSSC6644

The stations of the cross were phenomenal, as was the meeting of the Pope with the volunteers and women religious. The sisters were so full of joy and excitement waiting for him to come. If any young woman saw it they would mistake it for a Bieber/Beatles of old concert scene... but full of true love; Without sex, drugs or rock and roll.

I’m sure many vocations will come from this WYD, Spain could use them (couldn’t we all). Well, the socialists really attacked many of our young people there; Thank God for Christ’s example (They hated me...).

Saving up for Brazil. Prayers that all pilgrims make it home safe.


4 posted on 08/22/2011 8:09:08 AM PDT by AliVeritas (Pray. For all the latest, check out: http://directorblue.blogspot.com/)
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To: AliVeritas

Look also for this recent WYD in Spain to not only give a needed shot in the arm to a Spanish faith community that needed it bigtime and also help prepare that country for major elections in a few months.


5 posted on 08/22/2011 8:39:25 AM PDT by Biggirl ("Jesus talked to us as individuals"-Jim Vicevich/Thanks JimV!)
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