WORLD YOUTH DAY MADRID 2011
DAY 32: Trip New York - Washington D.C. (Wed., August 2)
Day 31: Trip Back Madrid - New York (Tuesday, Aug 22nd)
Day 30: Madrid
DAY 29: Closing WYD Mass with Pope Benedict (Sunday, Aug 21st)
DAY 28: Vigil Ceremony at "Cuatro Vientos" with Pope Benedict XVI (Sat, Aug 20th)
This prayer vigil, combined with the Mass the following morning, would be the highlight of the World Youth Day pilgrimage. All participants in the Youth Day would be present at the airfield and would be spending the night under the stars. So all the pilgrims had to bring their sleeping bags and whatever else they would need for an overnight stay in a desert airfield. The IVE pilgrims took a bus most of the way but had to walk the last 3 miles to the airfield. This hike was alleviated by the joyous spirit of many other pilgrims and the support of the locals who lived along the route on which we walked. They would throw water from the windows or shoot us with hoses to keep everybody cool in the blazing midday heat. Most of the IVE pilgrims arrived relatively early, around 1:00 PM. It will be impossible to describe the atmosphere of the airfield to someone who was not there but it was incredible to see such joy amid the heat of a Spanish Summer. There were at least 2 million people assembled (the exact number is yet to be calculated) and more were kept waiting outside for a lack of space on the airfield.
After staking out a claim, (a very difficult task considering that almost every square inch of the airfield was being used up) and retrieving water from the pumps, (very necessary in the heat) we waited for the arrival of the Holy Father.
The airfield was so massive that it took almost an hour to walk from the entrance to the opposite side. Around 8:30 the Holy Father arrived and we began the prayer vigil after he greeted some of the pilgrims positioned along the route to the stage.
There was a slight scare during the prayer vigil when the storm which had been forming since late afternoon finally broke over the two million strong assembly in the middle of the Pope’s homily. With almost no shelter to be found everyone had to buckle down and weather the storm as best they could. Despite the biting rains and powerful winds the Holy Father patiently waited for the storm to abate so that he could continue. After a chaotic 30 minutes the storm died down and the prayer vigil was continued. It was ended with a short period of Eucharistic Adoration and a good night blessing from the Pope. Though this signaled the end of the official prayer vigil and many headed off to bed, there were some desired to spend the night in prayer in the chapels and did not go to sleep at all.
Fr. Pablo and two of his sisters were also able to greet the Holy Father after the ceremony, as they were seated with the Royal Family of Spain.
After staking out a claim, (a very difficult task considering that almost every square inch of the airfield was being used up) and retrieving water from the pumps, (very necessary in the heat) we waited for the arrival of the Holy Father.
The airfield was so massive that it took almost an hour to walk from the entrance to the opposite side. Around 8:30 the Holy Father arrived and we began the prayer vigil after he greeted some of the pilgrims positioned along the route to the stage.
There was a slight scare during the prayer vigil when the storm which had been forming since late afternoon finally broke over the two million strong assembly in the middle of the Pope’s homily. With almost no shelter to be found everyone had to buckle down and weather the storm as best they could. Despite the biting rains and powerful winds the Holy Father patiently waited for the storm to abate so that he could continue. After a chaotic 30 minutes the storm died down and the prayer vigil was continued. It was ended with a short period of Eucharistic Adoration and a good night blessing from the Pope. Though this signaled the end of the official prayer vigil and many headed off to bed, there were some desired to spend the night in prayer in the chapels and did not go to sleep at all.
Fr. Pablo and two of his sisters were also able to greet the Holy Father after the ceremony, as they were seated with the Royal Family of Spain.
DAY 27: Madrid - Way of the Cross with Pope Benedict XVI (Friday, Aug 19th)
DAY 26: Catechesis - Welcoming Ceremony with Pope Benedict XVI (Thur, Aug 18th)
DAY 25: IVE meeting at Avila
DAY 24: Segovia - El Escorial (Tuesday, August 16th)
This was a special day because we were able to visit the tomb of St. John of the Cross, one of the greatest spiritual writers in the church and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church because of it. His teaching of detachment from all creatures in order to obtain union with the Creator has served as a spiritual roadmap for countless people since the 16th century.
It was a long bus ride to Segovia and so the different buses sang songs, prayed the rosary, listened to vocation stories, or just slept through it. Upon arrival we were able to see the well preserved remains of Segovia’s ancient Roman aqueduct with snakes through the old city. Perched in a niche of the aqueduct there is a little statue of Our Lady which overlooks one of the city’s plazas, presumably a post-roman era addition. The old city lies atop a plateau so in order to see the city’s cathedral we had to ascend to the top. After spending a little bit of time in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption we found out that the monastery in which lies the relics of St. John of the Cross, was going to close in an hour, so without any further adieu we quit the monastery and started to run (even the some of the Religious in their habits!) down the opposite side of the plateau to where the monastery is situated. We had some time to venerate the relics which are contained in a casket held above the altar of a side chapel. We also visited the Church of our Lady of Fuencisla, Patroness of Segovia, who saved a Jewish girl after beinf thrown down the cliff by her comrades. She converted, took the name of Maria del Salto (of the fall), and became a saint. After getting lunch and hurrying back to the buses, where there was ice cream waiting, we headed off to San Lorenzo del Escorial.
It was a long bus ride to Segovia and so the different buses sang songs, prayed the rosary, listened to vocation stories, or just slept through it. Upon arrival we were able to see the well preserved remains of Segovia’s ancient Roman aqueduct with snakes through the old city. Perched in a niche of the aqueduct there is a little statue of Our Lady which overlooks one of the city’s plazas, presumably a post-roman era addition. The old city lies atop a plateau so in order to see the city’s cathedral we had to ascend to the top. After spending a little bit of time in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption we found out that the monastery in which lies the relics of St. John of the Cross, was going to close in an hour, so without any further adieu we quit the monastery and started to run (even the some of the Religious in their habits!) down the opposite side of the plateau to where the monastery is situated. We had some time to venerate the relics which are contained in a casket held above the altar of a side chapel. We also visited the Church of our Lady of Fuencisla, Patroness of Segovia, who saved a Jewish girl after beinf thrown down the cliff by her comrades. She converted, took the name of Maria del Salto (of the fall), and became a saint. After getting lunch and hurrying back to the buses, where there was ice cream waiting, we headed off to San Lorenzo del Escorial.
In the city of San Lorenzo del Escorial there is located one of the grandest Monastery’s we had yet seen in our pilgrimage. We spent some time touring the art which was stored in the monastery and then had Mass in the first chapel of the monastery. It was in this chapel that the Kings of Spain used to attend daily Mass so it was adorned more beautifully than most chapels you will encounter. The main church was unavailable because it was being prepared for the Papal Mass with university professors which was to take place on the 19th. Despite this, we were able to quickly walk through the church and admire its amazing grandeur with stunning paintings, murals, statues, altars, and more. The Kings of Spain sponsored all of this in the name of the King of Kings who rules over not just one country or people but all of creation.
DAY 23: Madrid (Monday, August 15th)
We woke up excited to know that today was to be the day that we would finally see the city of World Youth Day 2011, Madrid. After breakfast and singing some songs to say thank you to all the volunteers we jumped into the buses and headed first to our new accommodations at Algete to deposit all of our luggage. Then we immediately departed for Madrid to celebrate Mass in the city’s Cathedral. After the Mass we went to the nearby Plaza de Oriente for lunch and then had about 7 hs. to visit the churches and points of interest throughout the massive city of Madrid.
When we returned we were treated to a pizza dinner with ice cream. Following this we all received our official World Youth Day backpacks with our World Youth Day Passes, Free Metro Cards, hats, rosaries, a catechism from Pope Benedict XVI, maps, and much more. Now we were ready for the World Youth Day week to begin.
When we returned we were treated to a pizza dinner with ice cream. Following this we all received our official World Youth Day backpacks with our World Youth Day Passes, Free Metro Cards, hats, rosaries, a catechism from Pope Benedict XVI, maps, and much more. Now we were ready for the World Youth Day week to begin.
DAY 22: La Aldahuela - Cerro de los Angeles - Toledo (Sunday, August 14th)
For the celebration of Sunday Mass we went to the Discaled Carmelite Monastery in La Aldehuela. There lies the relics of St. Maravillas of Jesus who led a reform of the Carmelites and to whom Blessed John Paul II was very devoted (he also cannonized her). Her formost virtue, as pointed at by Fr. Pablo Muñoz in his homily, was that of magniminity, a greatness of soul which drives one to do great things for the greater glory of God. This monastery is of special importance because it was the first one in which St. Maravilla began to live out her reform with three other nuns. After the Mass the pilgrims were able to venerate the relics and grave, which is located in the little chapel of the monastery, of this magnanimous saint.
Following lunch we walked up the nearby Hill of Angels upon which there is the shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was in this geographically central point of Spain that King Alfonso XII, along with the Archbishop of Madrid, consecrated the entire country of Spain to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on May 30th, 1919. The original statue was destroyed in the Spanish Civil War after the communists put Jesus on trial and found him to be guilty. The ruins of the original statue can still be seen on the Hill of Angels but opposite of the newer and grander statue which was erected in 1951.
We then headed to Toledo where many were able to tour the city’s great Gothic Cathedral and explore its winding ancient streets. Once again we found many different groups which were on their way to the World Youth Day in Madrid from all parts of the World. After this we returned to Alcalá for dinner and a show which included songs by the sisters and a show put on by the seminarians.
DAY 21: Trip from El Pueyo to Alcala de Henares
We were able to begin to the day with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the chapel of the El Pueyo Monastery. After breakfast we departed for a Alcalá, a city just outside of Madrid. After a long bus ride we arrived late in the afternoon and were given some time to tour the city and see some of the famous sites such as the Cathedral, the University of Alcalá, one of the oldest in Europe, and the house of Miguel de Cervantes, the famous Spanish author of Don Quijote. We also came across a hospital in which St. Ignatius of Loyola worked at while he was studying at the city’s university. A local priest told us that the city had also been home to a Eucharistic Miracle in that there were two hosts which we incorruptible after centuries of existence. However both of these hosts disappeared after the Spanish Civil War of 1936. From there we took a short bus ride to a sports complex where we would spend the night and were pleasantly surprised to have paella (a mix of rice and seafood native to Spain) for dinner. After this we were able to take advantage of the sports complexes and played some soccer and freezbee in the open air soccer court located in the complex.
DAY 20: Zaragoza (Friday, Aug 12th)
We started out our day as always, with morning prayer followed by breakfast and then everybody jumped on board the buses and we headed out for Zaragoza. Zaragoza is an ancient town which still contains the ruins of Roman Baths, theater, palaces, and walls. But the purpose of our visiting this historic city was the presence of the Basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Pilar. Tradition holds that when St. James was preaching the Gospel in Spain, our Lady appeared to him and supernaturally transferred him back to Jerusalem in order to suffer his martyrdom. In the place where Our Lady appeared to him she left a pillar fashioned by the angels which carried her to Spain and upon which an image of herself rested. She added that a church was to be built in the location where she appeared to St. James and so the Church is believed to be the first Church dedicated to Mary in history.
We arrived around noon but since we our Mass time was scheduled for 5:00 in the afternoon, we had lunch together and then the pilgrims split into small groups to visit various sites in the city. There was the city’s cathedral, which contained the relics of a martyred seven year old altar boy Saint Dominguito del Val who was martyred by Jews in the 13th century, and St. Peter, one of the Canons martyred in 1478. We also visited the previously mentioned Roman ruins, various churches around the city, some museums, and other such places. It is interesting to note that there were a large number of World Youth Day pilgrims in the plaza of Zaragoza from many different groups from foreign countries such as France and Italy. At 5:00 everyone met back at the Basilica of Our Lady of Pillar for Mass.
After the homily all the pilgrims were invested with the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Carmel. An interesting point on the basilica is how it was bombed during the Spanish Civil War but all of the bombs planted failed to detonate. After returning to the monastery and having a hamburger dinner, we held a talent show in which many different people showed off their unique abilities.
We arrived around noon but since we our Mass time was scheduled for 5:00 in the afternoon, we had lunch together and then the pilgrims split into small groups to visit various sites in the city. There was the city’s cathedral, which contained the relics of a martyred seven year old altar boy Saint Dominguito del Val who was martyred by Jews in the 13th century, and St. Peter, one of the Canons martyred in 1478. We also visited the previously mentioned Roman ruins, various churches around the city, some museums, and other such places. It is interesting to note that there were a large number of World Youth Day pilgrims in the plaza of Zaragoza from many different groups from foreign countries such as France and Italy. At 5:00 everyone met back at the Basilica of Our Lady of Pillar for Mass.
After the homily all the pilgrims were invested with the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Carmel. An interesting point on the basilica is how it was bombed during the Spanish Civil War but all of the bombs planted failed to detonate. After returning to the monastery and having a hamburger dinner, we held a talent show in which many different people showed off their unique abilities.
DAY 19: Martyrs of Barbastro - Our Lady of Torreciudad (August 11th)
With a wakeup a little later than the monks, and after a quick breakfast we headed off to the nearby city of Barbastro. This city has a very dramatic history for the Catholic Church because of its recent history of martyrs during the recent Spanish Civil war. It is a little known fact that the Communists of the Spanish Civil war brutally persecuted the Catholic Church and massacred bishops, thousands of priests, seminarians, sisters, and laity. Within the walls of Barbastro, which lies in the shadows of the nearby El Pueyo Monastery, was among the many towns in which this violence was particularly felt with 90% of the clergy slaughtered. This included 114 seminarians and the city’s bishop. We entered the city on foot from the outskirts and proceeded to the city’s Basilica where there are many martyrs entombed. Before the Mass, we recited the rosary and Fr. Pablo Muñoz then gave a short talk on the lives of the martyrs. After the Mass we proceeded to a museum of the Martyrs of Barbastro and then went to the home where St. Jose Maria Escribre was born.
After lunch we went to the shrine of Our Lady of Torrecividad, which had been recently reconstructed through the influence of St. Jose Maria Escribre. After a miraculous curing of a childhood disease, St. Escriba’s mother went to the shrine of Our Lady of Torrecividad to give thanks and later on he developed a great devotion to this Lady as well.
When we returned to the monastery, we had to conlude the girls soccer tournament which had been begun in Manressa. After a nail biting finish that was settled only after penalty kicks Bus Three came out ahead to take first place for the girls.
When we returned to the monastery, we had to conlude the girls soccer tournament which had been begun in Manressa. After a nail biting finish that was settled only after penalty kicks Bus Three came out ahead to take first place for the girls.
DAY 18: Manresa - IVE Monastery of "El Pueyo" (August 10th)
Our stay in Manressa has come to an end, early in the morning we boarded the buses and headed off to the city to have morning Mass in the church of Our Lady of Merced one of our parishes located in Manressa.
After the Mass one of the IVE priests from our parish in Manressa led us to a cave which holds a great significance for all members of the Church but especially the IVE. The cave was where St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, during a 4 month stay in the cave, wrote his Spiritual Exercises. These spiritual exercises have helped many individuals achieve sanctity throughout the history of the church and have received high praise from many different Popes including Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Once we arrived at the cave, which is now entered after passing through a church, Fr. Pablo Munoz gave a us a little talk on what St. Ignatius accomplished in the cave. From there we departed to El Pueyo, an IVE monastery located on a freestanding hill in the area of Barbastro.
After the Mass one of the IVE priests from our parish in Manressa led us to a cave which holds a great significance for all members of the Church but especially the IVE. The cave was where St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, during a 4 month stay in the cave, wrote his Spiritual Exercises. These spiritual exercises have helped many individuals achieve sanctity throughout the history of the church and have received high praise from many different Popes including Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Once we arrived at the cave, which is now entered after passing through a church, Fr. Pablo Munoz gave a us a little talk on what St. Ignatius accomplished in the cave. From there we departed to El Pueyo, an IVE monastery located on a freestanding hill in the area of Barbastro.
DAY 17: Barcelona
The second largest city in Spain got a little bit bigger when the IVE’s group arrived at the city’s cathedral for a morning mass. After the Mass we all had lunch together and then headed off in small groups to different locations throughout the city. Most went to “Sagrada Familia,” the massive incomplete basilica which dominates the city’s skyline. Designed by Antonio Gaudi and begun over a hundred years ago, the basilica was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI on November 7th, 2010 during an Apostolic visit to Spain. After visiting the cathedral a group left for Camp Nou, the stadium where Barcelona’s world famous soccer team plays. There were a lot of Barcelona team jerseys worn on the way back to where we were sleeping. Others went shopping along “La Rambla,” a broad open street running through Barcelona’s bustling downtown.
DAY 16: Our Lady of Montserrat
The jagged mountains of Montserrat dominate the landscape around Manressa and high in its peaks, the eagle nest sanctuary of the “Black Modanna” can be found. Tradition holds that this “Black Modanna,” a dark skinned statue of Our Lady with the Child Jesus on her lap, was carved by St. Luke the Evangelist in Jerusalem in the year 50 A.D. and soon after brought to Spain. It was hidden from the Muslims but later rediscovered by shepherds in 890 A.D. who heard singing and saw lights coming from a cave in the Mountain. The local bishop was informed who came and saw the lights and heard the music and then decided to bring it to Manressa in solemn procession. When they reached a nearby Benedictine Monastery, the statue became so heavy that it could not be moved and so it was taken for a sign that Our Lady desired that her image remain in the monastery. Almost 700 years later, St. Ignatius of Loyolla, founder of the Jesuits, came to Montserrat to spend the entire night in prayer before Our Lady and the next day laid his sword, the sign of his worldly office, at her altar. And 500 years after that, 300 IVE World Youth Day pilgrims came to the mountaintop sanctuary to pray and venerate Our Lady. The pilgrims all participated in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the Monastery’s church and then were given the rest of the afternoon to visit the other sites of the sanctuaries. Some groups went down the mountain a little way along a path which had the mysteries of the rosary lining the route that ended at the “Santa Cova” (Holy Cave) where the Black Modonna was found by the shepherds. Others scaled the heights of the mountains and were given a magnificent view of the entire countryside. Still others were able to venerate the image of Our Lady which is preserved in the high altar of the church. Late in the day we returned to the school which we are staying at and had a men’s interbus soccer tournament.
DAY 15: Lourdes - Carcassone - Manresa
Our last day in Lourdes ended in a special way with Fr. Pablo Muñoz, IVE, our pastor here at St. James', celebrating Mass for us in the Grotto of Massabielle while everybody participating in the Mass got wet as the rain from yesterday continued.
Immediately after the Mass we hit the road since we had a lot of kilometers to cover. En route to Manressa, Spain, and just before crossing the French-Spanish border, we made a quick stop at Carcassonne. Carcassonne is unlike any other city which we visited in that it is preserved as it would have been in Medieval times with a city wall, inner keep, local shops, castle, moat, wells, turrents, and a basilica. We were given an hour to wander about the town and check out all its nooks and crannies. After a delayed departure (it takes a lot of time to squeeze hundreds of tourists over the drawbridge) we headed for Manressa, Spain. Arriving late at night, we had time to unload our luggage and eat a quick dinner before heading off to bed for the night.
Immediately after the Mass we hit the road since we had a lot of kilometers to cover. En route to Manressa, Spain, and just before crossing the French-Spanish border, we made a quick stop at Carcassonne. Carcassonne is unlike any other city which we visited in that it is preserved as it would have been in Medieval times with a city wall, inner keep, local shops, castle, moat, wells, turrents, and a basilica. We were given an hour to wander about the town and check out all its nooks and crannies. After a delayed departure (it takes a lot of time to squeeze hundreds of tourists over the drawbridge) we headed for Manressa, Spain. Arriving late at night, we had time to unload our luggage and eat a quick dinner before heading off to bed for the night.
DAY 14: Lourdes
DAY 13: Lourdes
DAY 12: Trip Burgos - Sto. Domingo de la Calzada - Navarre - Basque Country - Lourdes (August 4th)
DAY 11: Trip Oviedo - Leon - Burgos
We left the seminary in Oviedo to begin a day of long distance travelling. Our first stop was the city of Leon, a city a little further inland than the previous cities but just as magnificant. The main purpose of our stop was to visit and have Mass at the city's cathedral but we arrived early enough to have some time to explore Leon. In our time there we came across a local church which temporarily housed ther relics of St. Isidore of Seville during the Moorish occupation of the South of Spain. We also had the opportunity to view a building designed by revolutionary architect, Anotonio Gaudi. T
After the Mass, we set out in the buses again after lunch and came to the city of Burgos, Spain in the afternoon. The Cathedral was filled with many beatiful chapels, mosaics, statues, and murals which could be found in the church itself or the museum attached to it. Our lodgingsq for the night were of a rather surprising sort as we were hosted by the Spanish military on one of their army camps. We are very thankful for their generosity.
After the Mass, we set out in the buses again after lunch and came to the city of Burgos, Spain in the afternoon. The Cathedral was filled with many beatiful chapels, mosaics, statues, and murals which could be found in the church itself or the museum attached to it. Our lodgingsq for the night were of a rather surprising sort as we were hosted by the Spanish military on one of their army camps. We are very thankful for their generosity.
DAY 10: Covadonga - Oviedo (Tuesday, August 2nd)
Early in the morning we rose in order to get to a midmorning mass at Covadonga. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Covadonga is dedicated to Our Lady who assisted in a battle against the Moor occupiers of the Iberian Peninsula. In thanksgiving, King Pelayo built a chapel and monastery to Our Lady of Covadonga. It was destroyed but later rebuilt and dedicated in the beginning of the 20th century. This shrine was visited by Blessed Pope John Paul II. After having time to explore the basilica and grotto we had lunch at the sanctuary and then returned to the seminary in Oviedo. In the afternoon people were able to explore the city and then returned for dinner. Fr. Pablo Muñoz gave a short talk on the history of Spain following the dinner and then there were sports for the rest of the evening.
DAY 9: Trip Compostela - Oviedo
The last day of the first week of our trip saw us departing from the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela. Many pilgrimages saw that city as their final destination but for us on the pilgrimage to World Youth Day, it could not be the end. We left at 9:30 in the morning and stopped for lunch where, after eating, some pilgrims were able to show off their singing abilities in a little show that was put on.
Upon arriving in Oviedo we immediately participated in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass which was celebrated in the city’s Cathedral. Contained within this cathedral is an incredibly unique relic, the burial cloth which covered the face of Jesus when he was entombed in the garden. After the Mass the pilgrims were given a chance to venerate this relic and view the gorgeous architecture of this ancient Cathedral. Then we headed off to our accommodations in an incredibly large seminary which at one point housed over 800 seminarians for the diocese of Oviedo. Following dinner we had some friendly bus competitions where the members of each bus had to make up and put on a song and dance for the other pilgrims. Chants, break dancing, historical representations, and much more made the night a very entertaining time for all.
Upon arriving in Oviedo we immediately participated in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass which was celebrated in the city’s Cathedral. Contained within this cathedral is an incredibly unique relic, the burial cloth which covered the face of Jesus when he was entombed in the garden. After the Mass the pilgrims were given a chance to venerate this relic and view the gorgeous architecture of this ancient Cathedral. Then we headed off to our accommodations in an incredibly large seminary which at one point housed over 800 seminarians for the diocese of Oviedo. Following dinner we had some friendly bus competitions where the members of each bus had to make up and put on a song and dance for the other pilgrims. Chants, break dancing, historical representations, and much more made the night a very entertaining time for all.
DAY 8: Camino de Santiago - Compostela
The Camino de Santiago could be called the most famous pilgrimage in the entire history of the Church. The origins of which are not completely known but it has been frequented by pilgrims since the 8th century when Santiago (i.e. St. James) appeared to a Spanish Crusading King who was attempting to prevent the Moors from obtaining a stranglehold in Spain. Through the intervention of Santiago in a critical battle the King was able to liberate a good portion of Spain and in thanksgiving made a pilgrimage to the famous Cathedral of Santiago where the Saint’s remains are entombed. The Camino de Santiago is not restricted to one particular route. The starting location has been anywhere in Europe, from Rome, to Lisbon, to Dublin, and beyond. But all ways lead to Santiago de Compostela. In order to experience this renowned pilgrimage, the youth and religious from our group hiked the final part of it, starting on the Monte de Gozo (Mount of Joy, named after the joy the pilgrims felt on beholding the spires of the Cathedral) and finishing in front of the glorious Cathedral of Santiago. Once there, everyone took part in the pilgrim’s Mass in which IVE priests concelebrated, seminarians and Servidoras sang in the choir, and youth pilgrims from our group read the readings and intercessions. In the afternoon a small group was able to participate in a Mass celebrated above the tomb of St. James, the closest possible location to his final resting place, in a tiny chapel just behind the main altar. The day ended with everybody going to watch an amazing firework show in a nearby park.
DAY 7: Compostela (July 30th)
Day seven, the second day in Santiago de Compostela, began with a morning Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of Santiago. At the end of the Mass the “Botafumeiro,” the largest censer in the world was swung back and forth across the nave of the church. Then the pilgrims were given time to tour the massive 800 year old cathedral with its many side altars and rich history. Of special note are the relics of St. James which are located in the church, the heart is kept within a huge central statue of St. James and the rest of his mortal remains are entombed beneath the main altar. Pilgrims are given a chance to pray before his tomb and to embrace the statue from behind.
Following this everyone returned for lunch and had a free day to explore the old city of Santiago with its winding cobbled streets and ancient buildings. At the end of the day everyone who missed the light show from the night before (most of those who already saw it before went again because it was so good) went to the Plaza in front of the Cathedral to see the incredible projection on the façade of the Cathedral.
Following this everyone returned for lunch and had a free day to explore the old city of Santiago with its winding cobbled streets and ancient buildings. At the end of the day everyone who missed the light show from the night before (most of those who already saw it before went again because it was so good) went to the Plaza in front of the Cathedral to see the incredible projection on the façade of the Cathedral.
DAY 6: Fatima - Coimbra - Compostela
Day Six: Fatima, Coimbra, and Santiago de Compostela; 7/29/11
We spent our last night in Fatima and with the rising sun quickly packed up and cleaned up the room we were using and loaded up the buses. Before taking our leave of Portugal, we stopped at Coimbra, where Sr. Lucia of Jesus lived as a contemplative Carmelite for 56 years. There, in the convent chapel, Fr. Gaston, IVE priest from Dallas, celebrated Mass and Fr. Jean Marie, IVE priest currently stationed in France, preached about the differences between a vacation and a pilgrimage and how the pilgrimage is the perfect place to pray and offer up penance.
Afterwards we resumed our journey north towards Santiago de Compostela which took around four hours to reach. Arriving at 7:00 at night local time, (one hour ahead of Portugal) we unpacked, arranged our quarters, played sports and ate dinner. Following the dinner all the youth were given the opportunity to tour Santiago de Compostela with an accompanying Religious. Many present were able to watch a light show which was projected onto the façade of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela which concluded with an amazing firework show.
We spent our last night in Fatima and with the rising sun quickly packed up and cleaned up the room we were using and loaded up the buses. Before taking our leave of Portugal, we stopped at Coimbra, where Sr. Lucia of Jesus lived as a contemplative Carmelite for 56 years. There, in the convent chapel, Fr. Gaston, IVE priest from Dallas, celebrated Mass and Fr. Jean Marie, IVE priest currently stationed in France, preached about the differences between a vacation and a pilgrimage and how the pilgrimage is the perfect place to pray and offer up penance.
Afterwards we resumed our journey north towards Santiago de Compostela which took around four hours to reach. Arriving at 7:00 at night local time, (one hour ahead of Portugal) we unpacked, arranged our quarters, played sports and ate dinner. Following the dinner all the youth were given the opportunity to tour Santiago de Compostela with an accompanying Religious. Many present were able to watch a light show which was projected onto the façade of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela which concluded with an amazing firework show.
DAY 5: Fatima - Batalha - Nazare
On the fifth day we spent a lot of time in the road as we left early in the morning after breakfast to make for the city of Nazaré. On the way to Nazaré we stopped at the parish church of Fatima where Lucia, Francesco, and Jacinta were baptized. There Fr. Gustavo Nieto, IVE Provincial Superior, celebrated the Mass in which Fr. Andrey García encouraged all present to take advantage of the sacrament of confession especially on this pilgrimage.
Then the six buses of pilgrims headed off for Batalha Portugal where there is a magnificent Monastery erected by King João in thanksgiving for the Virgin’s intercession which helped the Portuguese emerge victorious over the Castillians in the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1388. After spending some time in and around the church and following lunch, we departed for Nazaré.
There, perched on a cliff overlooking a beautiful Portuguese coastline, was the church of Our Lady of Nazareth whose cult was spread after miraculously saving a Portuguese Noble from plummeting to his death in 1182. The Church was opulently decorated with religious art, gold overlay, and intricate porcelain. Finally, after having seen such a beautiful beach 1000 feet below, everyone was given a chance to experience it and dip their toes into the water (although a few powerful waves got more than just people’s feet wet). Then we began our trip back to Fatima where we had time to clean up, eat dinner, go shopping, and take part in the daily International Rosary which was followed by a Eucharistic Procession.
Then the six buses of pilgrims headed off for Batalha Portugal where there is a magnificent Monastery erected by King João in thanksgiving for the Virgin’s intercession which helped the Portuguese emerge victorious over the Castillians in the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1388. After spending some time in and around the church and following lunch, we departed for Nazaré.
There, perched on a cliff overlooking a beautiful Portuguese coastline, was the church of Our Lady of Nazareth whose cult was spread after miraculously saving a Portuguese Noble from plummeting to his death in 1182. The Church was opulently decorated with religious art, gold overlay, and intricate porcelain. Finally, after having seen such a beautiful beach 1000 feet below, everyone was given a chance to experience it and dip their toes into the water (although a few powerful waves got more than just people’s feet wet). Then we began our trip back to Fatima where we had time to clean up, eat dinner, go shopping, and take part in the daily International Rosary which was followed by a Eucharistic Procession.
DAY 4: Fatima
We began the third day of the Pilgrimage by attending the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the Sanctuary Chapel located in the square outside of the main basilica. Fr. Rubén Ríos, IVE priest from Chicago IL, presided over the Mass in which Fr. Andrés Ayala, IVE priest from Cobourgh, Canada, preached about how we should “not be afraid” like Blessed John Paul II used to say. F
After the Mass there was an opportunity to pray and to explore the basilica and surrounding town until lunch. After eating everyone walked a short distance to pray the Stations of the Cross in the hills on which the shepherd children were visited by an angel three times. Then we toured the house in which Blessed Francisco lived. Across the street from which, in a little unassuming house, we were surprised to find the elderly niece of Lucia who greeted us and conversed with us for a little bit.
At the close of the day we took part in a Multi-lingual rosary and procession around the square of the basilica.
After the Mass there was an opportunity to pray and to explore the basilica and surrounding town until lunch. After eating everyone walked a short distance to pray the Stations of the Cross in the hills on which the shepherd children were visited by an angel three times. Then we toured the house in which Blessed Francisco lived. Across the street from which, in a little unassuming house, we were surprised to find the elderly niece of Lucia who greeted us and conversed with us for a little bit.
At the close of the day we took part in a Multi-lingual rosary and procession around the square of the basilica.
DAY 3: Madrid Airport - Lisbon - Fatima
Thanks to the protection of Our Lady we were all able to arrive safely with only a few bags lost in the flight. We are currently staying on the grounds of a local seminary which is less than five minutes walking from the Sanctuary of Fatima. At 7:30 last night we had Mass in the stunning upper Church of the Sanctuary.
Day 2: New York and Departure from JFK
The Pilgrimage to Madrid has begun! In the afternoon of the 25th of July, youth from all around the USA and Canada began to gather at New York’s JFK International Airport to meet up with their fellow pilgrims. Since the group is so large (almost 300!) we were subdivided into three different flights which took us to Dublin, London, or Madrid before finally arriving at Fatima on the 26th of July.
DAY 1: Trip Washington - New York
