Guestview: World Youth Day, from carnival atmosphere to silent prayer

WYD Opening Mass/Jo-Anne Rowney

World Youth Day has officially begun! It’s been a week since our group from London first arrived in Spain. Back then, hot and tired, I couldn’t even begin to comprehend the events that we’d experience and the amazing atmosphere we’re part of.

The WYD events began with an opening Mass on the Plaza de Cibeles on Wednesday. There was a carnival atmosphere when we arrived in the square. Each nationality had its own flag and everyone was waving them until the sky became a sea of colour. Pilgrims wearing brightly coloured shirts, rosaries, crucifixes and their WYD badges filled the square over the next two hours. The square itself became so crowded people were shoulder to shoulder. The sun was right overhead, beating down on us so for the Londoners used to the rain and cold it was a bit of a change!

I soon met Filipino pilgrims had just arrived after 12 hours flight.  Imelda, from Manila said: “It’s like a carnival. Everyone has so much energy and there’s this buzz that I can’t put into words.” In the underground after the Mass, Imelda’s carriage was still in the party spirit: “There were chants of Viva la Papa! and songs being sung in many languages. We even sang the old WYD songs!”

Then silence. Once Mass began, a hush fell over the square. It’s an amazing sight and sound. when nearly half a million young people fall into complete silence before God.  The only sound during the Mass was the choir. Even more beautiful and amazing weres the pilgrims queuing for confession around the edge of the crowds, where open-air confessionals were set up in the parks nearby for pilgrims.

While some pilgrims are staying in hotels, others are camping out or have been bundled into school halls. Catherine, from the English Faith Movement said: “There’s about 70 of us in a hall, sharing minimal facilities. It’s a pilgrim experience in the truest sense. Just having the basics while we’re here to grow in prayer and faith.”

“It’ll all be worth it when the Pope arrives,” she assures me. “All we’ve been hearing are pilgrims asking each other where they’re going to wait for the Pope to go past. Some are going hours beforehand just to catch a glimpse of him. I heard more than 50,000 people are expected to line the streets!”

The streets are filled with WYD pilgrims. A Scout group have set up a campsite outside my hotel window. A Canadian group that were sleeping on the street endured a tiring flight and no dinner to make the opening Mass because they “wanted to be here, together with all the youth. Showing youth are present in the Church. Together in Christ!”

One pilgrim from Canada told me she felt “an opening of the heart and mind in Madrid” that she had never felt before. “There’s an acceptance of who you are. All your faults your failings. Seeing everyone ready for confession drew me in, and I found myself queuing wondering how I got here. WYD makes you braver. I struggle with confession at home, but here it just seems right. There’s no judgement of who you are, or what you’ve done.”

Dean, from Detroit said: “The mix of silence and stillness against the craziness of the Mass is unbelievable. There’s just you and God – with thousands of others in prayer. It’s a powerful moment when the shouting and cheering, the pure adrenaline drops away leaving you tingling with the joy of being here.”

Natasha Purcell from London couldn’t make it to the square for the opening Mass and ended up watching it on a big screen in a side street with her group. She told me how Canadian, American and English prayed together during the Mass. “None of us have met before, but it doesn’t feel like we’re strangers. There’s an understanding that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. One in Unity and spirit.”

(Pilgrims pray in Ana Mogas Chapel in Madrid, 12 August 2011/Jo-Anne Rowney)

My own pilgrimage echoes these feelings of unity and togetherness. My defining moment came during Adoration, time spent in silence before the Blessed Sacrament – Jesus himself. There was a sense that everything was really beginning.

During a talk earlier in the week we’d been told by Sister Paula, from Verbum Dei, that we should spend time in silence. “To listen to God calling you. He’s knocking. Listen to him” she  said. “Fall in love with God again … open your heart and just say God what do you want with me?”

In the stillness of the Mass, I found myself looking at Jesus, really looking at the crucifix above the altar. In that moment, Sr Paula’s words made sense to me. I felt that love again. A greater love than Romeo and Juliet, Jack and Rose on the Titanic. More than any relationship or friendship. I felt a great peace. I turned and looked at my fellow pilgrims to see if they’d felt the same thing. I was surprised to see some deep in prayer, others crying.

This blog post appeared on FaithWorld on Reuters website - you can find it here. 

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Posted in: catholic,london,madrid,madrid11,plaza de cibeles,religion,spain,vigil,wyd

WYD Round-up

I've been collecting myself following the events of the last two weeks, Googling and searching articles on WYD. I found that my tweets have made a few appearances and articles I've written. So I thought I'd add them to this blog as I find them.


Reuters - World Youth Day, from Carnival atmosphere to silent prayer 


CathNews New Zealand “It’s mad here,” says Jo Anne Rowney on Twitter.

“2.5 million pilgrims is just a figure until you actually see them all. Crazy,” she said.

CathNews New Zealand “Like an Apocalypse here!” Jo Anne Rowney said via Twitter.

Pope: Madrid the Capital of Youth 

Online USA newspaper - Guestview 

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Posted in: madrid11,world youth day,wyd

WYD 2011: The financial truth

There's been a lot of rumour and estimates flying around regarding how much WYD cost Spain. A recent report suggested that the pilgrims that flocked to see the Pope in Madrid raised $230 million for the Spanish economy. ICN uploaded a break down of the figures that perhaps proves more useful in looking at how WYD is funded for those interested. 

WYD Logo was paid for under branding

According to organisers, the total budget for World Youth Day is around 50 million Euros and is completely self-financed.  The cost is covered in full by pilgrim registrations (70%) and donations (30%). No contribution has been made towards World Youth Day by the Spanish government or the local councils in Madrid. World Youth Day costs the Spanish tax-payer nothing, while it has been estimated that World Youth Day has contributed around $230 million to the Spanish economy. Here's the pre-WYD break down.

Income

Pilgrim registrations                                                                             31,500,000      

Company sponsorship                                                                          16,500,000  
Donations and other  individual donations, SMS, info, product sales, etc     2,482,621      

TOTAL INCOME                                                                                    50,482,621      


Expenditure
01 Pilgrim bag contents    4,763,655        Includes materials, production and distribution
02 General Secretariat and Welcome    5,567,511      
Preparatory materials, organisation offices, welcoming costs
03 Executive directors and finance    712,594      
Salaries, travelling, finance costs
04 Computer systems    2,130,837      
Equipment (software and hardware)
05 Central acts (Cibeles, Recol., 4V)    12,530,746      
Screens, sound systems, preparation of main acts
06 City environment    367,753      
Plan of activities for environment
07 Disabled     101,746      
Preparation of special spaces for the disabled
08 Infrastructure    7,253,657      
Tents, installations, water, energy bills, etc
09 Security and accreditation    1,258,489      
Accreditations, pilgrim passes, individual security
10 Other acts    580,233      
Sound, image, etc Almudena, Escorial, Retiro, etc
11 Lodgings and catechesis    2,044,430
   
12 Promotion    2,627,600        Of the brand JMJ/WYD
13 Cultural prog. and pilgrim guide    4,199,989      
14 Volunteers    3,983,750        Accommodation, equipment and maintenance costs
15 Communications and media    2,359,631      
Press room, TV costs, signals, Press Centres, etc
TOTAL EXPENDITURE    50,482,621      

Disclaimer: This is a pre-WYD break down and planned expenditure

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Posted in: finance,madrid11,pilgrim,world youth day,wyd

WYD 2011: Pope announces Rio for next WYD: "Go and make disciple of all nations"

The Pope has announced that the next international WYD will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2013 with the theme "Go and make disciples of all nations".

Pope Benedict XVI made the announcement to the million young pilgrims at Madrid’s Cuarto Vientos airbase on 21August.

“Even now, let us ask the Lord to assist all those who will organize it and to ease the journey there of young people from all over the world, so that they will be able to join me in that beautiful city of Brazil,” the Pope said following his midday Angelus prayer.

The next WYD will be held earlier than normal, leaving two years for preparations. This is because Rio is hosting the football World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games two years later.

Brazilians who had come to Spain for World Youth Day 2011 waved their flags and shouted with cheers of 'Viva la Papa'.

The World Youth Day cross changed hands after the announcement - a tradition at events since 1984 - with a Spanish young people passing it to a group from Brazil.

“I hope to see you again in two years’ time at the next World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,” said the Pope, bidding farewell in Portuguese, Brazil's native language. “Till then, let us pray for each other, witnessing to the joy that brings forth life, rooted in and built upon Christ. Until we meet again, my dear young people! God bless you all!”

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Posted in: madrid11,Rio de Janiero,world youth day,wyd

WYD 2011: The end is nigh

All of lifes responses surrounded the Westminster gorup, from apathy to revernece, to deep emotional reactions to the disinterested. All of life was present, nearby a girl so overcome by Christ's love for us, the suffering he went through broke down into tears.

As the hammer sounded echoing the nailing of Jesus to the Cross people hung their heads listening to the resounding sound pounding, the definite resolute knocking captured the spirit of the moment.

The pain Jesus went through, the suffering he must have endured. The realisation that Jesus is not just simply a man that was crucified in a romantic fashion, he isn't the picture perfect Jesus often shown on a cross. He was in pain, he bled, he sweated. The pain was so bad he cried out to God to come to his aid.

Pilgrims around me were touched. The reality of the banging hammer struck home. Jesus' death was reality in that moment, the reality of his love. The enormity of it all, I was back in that place over 2000 years ago, at the bottom of the cross looking at Jesus feeling his pain, and overcome with his love for us. 

Jessica from the USA said: "You can read and meditate of the Way of the Cross alone and you get a small, minute idea of the suffering Jesus endured. When that hammer sounded, just the banging. The loud echo. It was silent and still and I forgot there was anyone else there. I felt it, inside I was deeply moved. How could you not cry? That amount of love is overwhelming."

Our Magnificat books included the lyrics to This is the Way of the Cross. The lyrics couldn't have summed it up more for me. This is the Way of the Cross. The Saviour of the World.

Via Crucis. The Way of the Cross. The way it should be. Reverent, thought provoking, moving. 

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Posted in: madrid11,pope,pope benedict,world youth day,wyd

WYD 2011: This is the way of the Cross, the way it should be

All of lifes responses surrounded the Westminster gorup, from apathy to revernece, to deep emotional reactions to the disinterested. All of life was present, nearby a girl so overcome by Christ's love for us, the suffering he went through broke down into tears.

As the hammer sounded echoing the nailing of Jesus to the Cross people hung their heads listening to the resounding sound pounding, the definite resolute knocking captured the spirit of the moment.

The pain Jesus went through, the suffering he must have endured. The realisation that Jesus is not just simply a man that was crucified in a romantic fashion, he isn't the picture perfect Jesus often shown on a cross. He was in pain, he bled, he sweated. The pain was so bad he cried out to God to come to his aid.

Pilgrims around me were touched. The reality of the banging hammer struck home. Jesus' death was reality in that moment, the reality of his love. The enormity of it all, I was back in that place over 2000 years ago, at the bottom of the cross looking at Jesus feeling his pain, and overcome with his love for us. 

Jessica from the USA said: "You can read and meditate of the Way of the Cross alone and you get a small, minute idea of the suffering Jesus endured. When that hammer sounded, just the banging. The loud echo. It was silent and still and I forgot there was anyone else there. I felt it, inside I was deeply moved. How could you not cry? That amount of love is overwhelming."

Our Magnificat books included the lyrics to This is the Way of the Cross. The lyrics couldn't have summed it up more for me. This is the Way of the Cross. The Saviour of the World.

Via Crucis. The Way of the Cross. The way it should be. Reverent, thought provoking, moving. 

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Posted in: madrid11,world youth day,wyd

WYD 2011: Pope tells youth to help those in suffering

Last night the mood of WYD shifted. Last night wasn't about joy and celebration, it was about suffering, the pain and hurt in the world. 

14 vivid stations of the cross lined the route between Plaza de Cibeles and Colon, pilgrims arrived hours before hand waiting in the heat of the sun, scorched and tired in dedication to seeing the cross pass by en route. 

Between each Station the bearers of the cross changed over, representing different people from countries where there is particular suffering in the community. 

Groups carrying included Iraqis, immigrants, unemployed, recovering drug addicts and people from Rwanda and Burundi.

Each station involved a stop for a meditation. These included prayers for the defence of human life, for peace in the Holy Land and areas where there is conflict, for the victims of natural disasters, for the unemployed, for those who suffer racial discrimination or religious persecution, for those with alcohol or drug addictions, and for the victims of sexual abuse.

Pope Benedict XVI also focused his address on suffering. At the end of the liturgy he said that everyone knows or has experience suffering. He urged youth to focus on Christ's suffering - out of love for us, and to imitate this by committing themselves to help the suffering of others. 

The Pope said that meditating on Christ’s Passion and death should make Christians ask: “What can we do for him?”

He added: “Christ’s Passion urges us to take upon our own shoulders the sufferings of the world, in the certainty that God is not distant or far removed from man and his troubles." He reminded us that Christ became human himself, enduring suffering and death. 

The Pope prayed that this love would “increase your joy and encourage you to go in search of those less fortunate. You are open to the idea of sharing your lives with others, so be sure not to pass by on the other side” of the road “in the face of human suffering, for it is here that God expects you to give of your very best: your capacity for love and compassion.”

He continued: “The different forms of suffering that have unfolded before our eyes in the course of this Way of the Cross are the Lord’s ways of summoning us to spend our lives, following in his footsteps and becoming signs of his consolation and salvation."

The Pope said that the harsh wood of the Cross is a sign of the self-giving love that will give eternal life to all who ask.

“The Cross was not a sign of failure, but an expression of self-giving love,” the pope said. The cross “teaches us to love what God loves and in the way that he loves. This is the good news that gives hope to the world,” he said. 

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Posted in: benedict xvi,madrid11,pope,pope benedict,world youth day,wyd

Video: Archbishop Nichols Homily at Westminster Mass

The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster presided at the WYD Westminster Mass in Madrid on 17 August.

In his Homily he reflected upon the Gospel Luke 6:46-49, and shared his own personal prayer experience during times of turmoil with the pilgrims, telling them he turned to Mary and prayed the Rosary. He reminded them of the importance of silence on a pilgrimage.

Archbishop Nichols also told them about a lady called Etty, who was a holocaust victim.

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Posted in: archbishop nichols,archbishop vincent nichols,madrid11,world youth day,wyd

Viva la Papa!

0 comments | 19 August 2011

Pope Benedict XVI has arrived. His 'plane touched down in Madrid at noon (Spanish time). According to WYD website the Holy father appeared energetic as he made his way down the stairs of the Alitalia aircraft, smiling as he greeted the waiting dignitaries. Halfway down the red carpet he stopped to greet the military guard with a quick bow.

A group of 56 boys aged 10 and 13 dressed as Swiss Guards acted as honour guards on the red carpet .

The Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid, Antonio Rouco Varela and Spain's King Juan Carlos waiting on the tarmack to recieve the Holy Father on his third visit to the country. 

Best formed youth 

King Juan Carlos made a brief speech welcoming the pope to Spain. He recalled Pope John Paul II's third visit to Spain, which as also for World Youth Day.

The king said this generation of Spanish youth are the “best formed” but also are in much need of help and support from their elders during this difficult moment when many find themselves unemployed and seemingly without hope.

Pope Benedict then took the podium, thanking the king for his words. “I have come here to meet thousands of young people from around the world,” he said, thanking the schools, parishes and other institutions that opened their doors to house those young people this week. 

Voice of God

He said said those young people are in Madrid because they “have heard the voice of God, perhaps only as a little whisper, which has lead them to search for Him more dilligently.” The pope also said there are reasons for concern, chief among them “the desire for the betterment of all Spaniards with that dynamism which caracterizes them.”

The Holy Father addressed youth directly saying, “I repeat to you again, nothing and no one can take away the peace that comes from the Lord”

Following the address Pope Benedict and King Juan Carlos retreated to the State Pavillion where they met privately for about five minutes before the Holy Father boarded his Popemobile for the 20 km journey to the Nunciature, where he will be staying during his time in Madrid.

Official pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/madrid011/sets/72157627313780201/

After the Mass the Pope mobile drove through the streets to Plaza de Cibeles, on the way the Pope was greeted by cheering pilgrims - with many Westminster groups in the crowds. 

The Archbishop of Madrid greeted Pope Benedict. The text is here. 

The welcome text is here.

The Pope also greeted all the youth, but in their different languages! His greetings can be read here. 

Tomorrow the Pope meets women religious, and university professors. In the evening we'll be back in the centre of Madrid for Via Crucis - the Way of the Cross. This is a traditional in Spain normally saved for Holy Week. The cross will stop at 14 stations around the historical part of Madrid stopping at designated points, the cross will finish in Plaza de Cibeles. The cross being used has been travelling around different countries before making its journey back to Spain. 

I am also speaking at a WYD event, iCat tomorrow - wish me luck!

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Posted in: madrid11,pope,world youth day,wyd

Interview: Archbishop Vincent Nichols on WYD & London riots

After our Westminster Mass we were lucky enough to grab Archbishop Vincent Nichols for a chat about WYD. He spoke about Pope Benedict's ability to speak to the youth, the significance of WYD for those involved in the London riots and how the papal visit has impacted the pilgrim experience. He also spoke about his expectations and gives advice to pilgrims for when they head back to their parishes.

  

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Posted in: archbishop nichols,archbishop vincent nichols,london riots,madrid11,world youth day,wyd

WYD 2011: Inaugural Mass

While Westminster pilgrims journey may have begun last Thursday, the WYD celebrations kicked off just a few hours ago.

Photos of the WYD Opening Mass are here

Many pilgrims we met along the streets surrounding the Plaza had just arrived for WYD. Filipino pilgrims had flown 12 hours, having to change in Amsterdam just to reach Madrid in time for the celebrations. A Scout group have set up a campsite that can be seen from my window. A Canadian group have endured a tiring flight and no dinner to make the Mass. French pilgrims our bundled together in a school hall on a hard floor. Now that's dedication. That's perseverance. 

There was a carnival atmosphere when we arrived in the square. Each nationality had their own flag. Everyone was waving them until the sky became a sea of colour. Pilgrims wearing brightly coloured shirts, rosaries, crucifixes and their WYD badges filled the square over the next two hours. The square itself became so crowded people were shoulder to shoulder. The sun was right overhead, beating down on us so for the Londoners used to the rain and cold it was a bit of a change!

Mercy by Duffy, Outkast's Hey Yay and Leona Lewis' Bleeding Love blared from the speakers echoing down the streets accompanied by the sound of shouting and cheering pilgrims. The choir was pitch perfect creating an ethereal beauty to the Mass settings that were sung. 

Confessionals were set up around the edge of the square in the parks nearby for pilgrims to benefit from the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

It was all chaos. It was all calm.

It was the youth of the world coming together in unity. In one faith. 

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Posted in: madrid11,world youth day,wyd

WYD 2011 Opening Mass: Cardinal Ryłko tells pilgrims they will "never forget" WYD

"These will be days that you will never forget, days of important discoveries and decisions that will be decisive for your future." 

These were the welcoming words of Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko following the Opening WYD Mass on 16 August where over half a million young people from countries all over the world crammed into Madrid's Plaza de Cibeles to mark the beginning of World Youth Day.

The Archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco presided the inaugural Mass, which was concelebrated by bishops and priests joining in the WYD celebrations. 

In his homily, Cardinal Rouco said that the pilgrims "have come to say aloud to the whole world...your unwavering “yes”! Yes, faith is possible. It is in fact a wonderful adventure that allows us to discover the magnitude and beauty of our lives."

Cardinal Rouco reminded us that Blessed Pope John Paul II will always be linked with WYD, especially as he's a patron and "protector" for this WYD. 

He argued that Pope John Paul II's relationship with young people is "unprecedented" as well as "direct, immediate...imbued with the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, enthusiastic, hopeful, joyful, contagious." 

The youth of today are searching for Jesus, he said. Adding that Jesus "is the only one who can understand you and lead you to the truth giving life that never ends, to give you happiness, true love."

"Letting him in is the key to WYD," he said. "It will be your success. Youths of this century need...to find the Lord through the only path that has proven effective spirtually: the humbles and simple pilgrim seeking his face."

Reflection

Following the Mass Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity welcomed the pilgrims by telling the crowd World Youth Day had finally arrived. 

"These will be days you will never forget, days of important discoveries and decisions that will be decisive for your future." he said.

The Cardinal reflected on the theme for WYD, the words of Saint Paul: “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith” (cf Col 2:7)" saying that this was a challenge for us all. 

"This is very demanding because it contains a definite plan for each of us," he added. 

"Faith is like a root that is nourished by the lifeblood of the word of God and the sacraments. It is the foundation, the rock on which life is built, the dependable compass that guides our choices and gives clear direction to our lives."  

For miles all that could be seen was a sea of colour - a mix of national flags, coloured pilgrims t-shirts and hats. Natasha Purcell, Westminster Diocese said: "I haven't met any of the pilgrims before, but it doesn't feel like we're strangers at all. We may speak different languages, and come from different countries, but we are all brothers and sisters in Christ."

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Posted in: madrid11,world youth day,wyd

#dow #wyd interview on Twitter!

I interviewed Cherrie Anderson from Ooberfuse in a WYD first
Follow the interview here.

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Posted in: madrid11,world youth day,wyd

A pilgrim's preparation

Nineb Nersy, 21, a recent graduate and parishioner at St Francis of Assisi, Notting Hill is off to WYD with our diocesan group in August. We spoke to Nineb in our first twitter interview about learning Spanish, his succesful fundraising quiz night and spreading God's word in preparation for Madrid.  

Nineb feels that being chosen to go to WYD has renewed his faith. He has been been to WYD before but is still really excited about Madrid. 

A veteran pilgrim

"I had been to WYD in Sydney in 2008 and had been chosen to represent the parish alongside another parishioner," he tells me. "Since then we've had a new parish priest and when it came to choose representatives for this year's WYD, I was very grateful that I was asked."

"Having experienced WYD before I knew what it’s an unbelievable experience that provides a fantastic opportunity for strengthening in the faith."

"I suggested to Father that if there was anyone else he had in mind I'd be more than happy to give them an opportunity since I had been before, but our priest said he wanted me to represent the parish so I was very humbled and grateful to be chosen."

Bringing the Church together

Nineb feels that WYD is a great opportunity to see the Church together, and the good it does. He is enthusiastic when he talks about the Church's role in bringing people together in faith. He said: "I decided to accept our priest's offer as I knew that WYD truly allows us to see the Church in action, the worldwide Church, coming together and praising Christ. I know WYD will help me in my journey with Christ, by helping me discern my vocation, by filling me with the Holy Spirit."

He also hopes to continue the faith sharing experience when he returns. 

"I know my experience will help me be a witness to the Gospel, to the truth the Church holds and help me evangelise through my life."

Having been to Sydney in 2008, Nineb is curious how Madrid will compare to the succesful event. 

Caring about our faith

"Having been to a WYD before I'm especially looking forward to seeing how it is organised in Spain, and to sample Spanish Catholic culture."

He tells me that he is eager to get out to Spain and join in the festival. 

"I'm looking forward to meeting Catholics from all over the world, it shows that the Church remains strong thanks to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the truth it holds and that young people care about their Catholicism. Mostly I'm looking forward to truly feeling the presence of Christ amongst the masses of pilgrims."

The Diocese of Westminster have been running preparation sessions for pilgrims joining the diocesan group for WYD, Nineb has been attending these sessions in the lead up to Madrid 2011. 

"I've been to the preparation sessions and they've helped greatly by allowing me to spiritually focus on God and direct my prayer life. They gave me the guidance I needed to truly prepare for the pilgrimage."

"How great will the feeling be when thousands upon thousands are gathered in His name!"

Twitter as a tool for Evangelising  

Nineb announced a week ago he'd try and tweet in Spanish to practice for August! He modestly tells me his Spanish is very basic he's still going to give his twitter promise a go.

"Spanish tweeting was a random moment of inspiration, but given that my Spanish is so bad I think it may not have been well thought out. I’m still going to give it a go though!"

Nineb is making great use of Twitter, not only with his personal account sharing his pilgrim experience, but also to evangelise.

"I've also been inspired to start a Twitter account spreading Saint Paul's Epistles as a form of evangelisation. @SaintPaulsWords is not about WYD but my journey of preparation for WYD inspired me to make it as a modern way of evangelisation."

Nineb is part of Notting Hill parish, he is full of praise for the parishioners, his priests and the school for helping him and his fellow pilgrim raise funds for WYD. They arranged a Quiz night recently that was a great success.

Support by actions, prayer and funds

"In preparation myself and the other pilgrim from my parish ran a Quiz Night to raise funds. The night was very well received and was a great night that everyone who came enjoyed."

The parishioners have been very supportive not just with helping pay for the trip, but in other ways too.

"Our parishioners have been very supportive, both through their actions and prayers, and through their generosity we've been to raise more money than we needed! My family as well have been a massive help and guide and support. Teachers, parents and children at our parish school have also been a massive support in my preparation."

Embracing Catholicism

So how else has Nineb been making sure he's ready for WYD? He explains: "Aside from that I've been preparing spiritually by trying to read the Bible more. I've also been to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for moments of contemplation. I've started reading the Pope's recent books on Jesus too as well as the Catechism. All in all preparing for WYD really inspired me to really embrace my Catholicism more and more."

With just over a month to go, I ask what Nineb if he's thought about what he will most enjoy about WYD. 

"Just being with fellow young Catholics, in the presence of the Pope, and truly feeling the presence of Christ amongst us." he says. "For as Christ said whenever two or three are gathered in my name I am among them. How great will the feeling be when thousands upon thousands are in His name!"

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Posted in: madrid11,world youth day,wyd

WYD will Boost Moral Reforms, says Madrid's Cardinal

Cardinal Antonio Rouco, archbishop of Madrid, has said that World Youth Day will be the beginning of a deep "moral renewal of society." 

The cardinal told PALABRA magazine that organisers expect "between half a million and a million" to participate in World Youth Day although they believe "in the central events ... that number will be considerably surpassed."

Cardinal Rouco said that the event "will be of an especially missionary nature," and that it "will give a strong impetus to the apostolic commitment of young people under the sign of the New Evangelization that Benedict XVI has re-launched." So there will be a focus on the renewing and strengthening our faith.

The cardinal explained that the aim underlying WYD was to encourage young people to "live their lives deeply rooted in Christ, and to live all aspects of their personal, profession and faith lives in Christ."

"They are the ones who will be able to begin the path to a deep moral renewal in society. In the end, it is this generation that is called to undertake a true social, cultural and political reform."

New generation

The archbishop of Madrid said "the affirmation does not respond to the truth," and that "a new youth has arisen in the Church" as a result of the series of international events.

The cardinal anticipates that the World Youth Day fruits will be seen "in vocations, in the spiritual, cultural and intellectual formation of young people; in the field of the family and the university; and it will also be translated into an empowerment of the new ecclesial realities [movement and lay associations], which will be very present here." [We previously blogged about the Vocation Expo that you can attend in Madrid.]

Cardinal Rouco also said that he "prays every day, constantly, to Blessed John Paul II so that he will give a hand from above." He continued, "If there is someone who understands well what we have ahead of us, it is he."

The cardinal took the opportunity to appeal to young people to "register as soon as possible for the World Youth Day."

He predicts a warm reception for the youth day pilgrims, and said he "had no worries" that the Pope would be well received.

Cardinal Rouco added that the organizers secured an additional area for pilgrims adjacent to the Cuatro Vientos airfield that will allow for a greater number of pilgrims to attend. "Our great responsibility in organizing the World Youth Day," he said, "is that everyone who comes will be able to participate in those two great central events." 

It sounds that plans are well underway in Madrid as they prepare for us to visit in August

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