Behold the contents of the WYD Madrid pilgrim backpack: Habemus Papam, a manga comic on the pope, the new YOUCAT (Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church) and a guide to everything you need to know about WYD are just a couple of the items included.
It’s now almost 6:30 p.m. in Madrid and the temperature is still 35 C outside (I know because a digital screen at a bus stop told me so). Since World Youth Day starts tomorrow, nothing is happening as of yet.
The temperature inside this mall in Madrid was a welcome escape from the heat.
In the time since I’ve arrived, I’ve gone on a few walks in the area as I wait for the pilgrim group from the Office of Catholic Youth I’ll be staying with to arrive.
And every time I’ve ventured out, I have not noticed one person wearing a sun hat (I might have stood out when I continued wearing it in the “metro.”) The locals here seem to stick to sunglasses only, if they’re even wearing those. Continue reading
After seven and a half hours aboard an overnight flight (with a touch of flamenco music, Matt Maher and the Gypsy Kings), I have arrived safe and sound in Madrid.
Pilgrims waiting for their baggage at the Madrid-Barajas Airport Aug 15.
On the plane ride, I met a girl named Miriam who lives in Montreal. Miriam, 24, is originally from Brazil (she took a leap of faith in coming to Canada), and told me she finds it really hard to be Catholic in Quebec. Whereas in her native Brazil she had a strong church community to fall back on, in Quebec–it’s just the opposite, she said.
And so, she is coming to Madrid to find that something special or that “BAM,” that has gone missing, as she described it.
I suspect that such is the case with the majority of the pilgrims who have or are in the process of making the trek to Spain to see the pope (el papa). We are all looking for that extra something, that feeling of something bigger than ourselves here in Madrid.
Across the street from my hotel is Estacion Del Norte--right beside Principe Pio station
Anyway, I’m off to the media centre to see what kind of media seating The Catholic Register will be getting!
Adios!
We’re getting closer. Between the planning of what events I’ll be attending (and where they are and when), packing my suitcase and sorting out all the last minute details, time seems to be flying by.
Spanish roofs: Things are going to look a little different in Madrid than they do in Toronto. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
Although I’ve known I’d be going to World Youth Day for months, it hasn’t felt real. Just now, it finally feels like I’ll be leaving soon. Continue reading
In just five short days, I’ll be Madrid-bound–on a plane headed to the 11th international World Youth Day. I’m going to cover the event which runs from Aug. 16-21 for The Catholic Register, where I work as the Youth Editor of the Youth Speak News section. I’ll be blogging here throughout the experience, tweeting (see right or follow @V_Santilli) along with writing articles for YSN.
Some of my pilgrim essentials: a yoga mat and emergency blanket for the overnight vigil at the Cuatro Vientos aerodome, a Spanish phrase book, the Canadian WYD jersey for pilgrims, batteries, a sun hat, sunglasses and a prayer book made by the Office of Catholic Youth for pilgrims on their trip (I'll be travelling with them).
As a twenty-something-year-old Catholic youth, I will be there to take it all in. As cliché as it may sound, I want to be completely open to the experience I’m about to enter into. And truth be told, I hope it is a truly life-changing experience.
