Go Jesus, go Jesus, go Jesus, go, go, go.
That's just one of the chants ringing out across Madrid. You hear it on the street, in the metro, in McDonalds, anywhere there are pilgrims ... and they are everywhere. The number of visitors to Madrid has been severely underestimated as Spanish people from all over the country join the pilgrims. It is a real party atmosphere, much like it was for WYD in Sydney or for the 2000 Olympics. Groups of pilgrims sporting national colours singing and chanting at other groups. The shout, where are you from? is common.
And just about everyone is happy. Yes there was a bit of trouble with a few protestors at Sol the other night, but in the big picture of open friendship, it did not rate. It received more coverage at home than it did here and we were only a few kms away.
As I indicated at the close of the last post we have had some sickness issues with lack of hydration, exposure to sun and lack of sleep. As a result, I missed the opening gathering for all Australians here in Madrid and the opening Mass that evening.
There have been organizational challenges and the weather, (did I mention it was hot?) has certainly played its part. The sun is blisteringly hot and there is precious little shade. However, none of that has diminished the excitement, enthusiasm or enjoyment of the pilgrims. Despite the inherent difficulties the pilgrims are approaching everything in a positive manner because this is a pilgrimage, not a holiday, and in part that means sacrifice.
I have a lot more to write about, but I think I'll divide Madrid into sections. But, before I go, one remarkable thing I have found is that it doesn't matter how many times you explain to someone you don't speak their language, they will still speak to you in a rapid, animated fashion. We all do it.
Adios, for now.
2011/08/20
2011/08/16
And then ...
a rest day!! Well almost. We had the day to spend with our host family, which meant we could sleep in. It might not get dark till 10ish but it doesn't get light till around 7, something I am not adjusting to.
After a leisurely breakfast we walked up to the old part of Caceres again for some more sightseeing. Although the Spain is very strongly Catholic, this has not always been and we visited an Arabic house/museum. We went to Mass at the pro Cathedral of Santa Maria and then returned home before visiting the lookout prior to the farewell dinner with all the host families. All of the pilgrims across Coria-Caceres came together in the evening. This culminated in a youth festival that finished at 1am. Sleep? Missed out again.
Our final day in Caceres was spent celebrating Mass with the Local Bishop at a basketball stadium. It was very hot, again, and many of the pilgrims started to show the effects of the heat and lack of sleep. The medicos were kept very busy. After lunch, a 4 hour bus trip to our university accommodation in Madrid.
After a leisurely breakfast we walked up to the old part of Caceres again for some more sightseeing. Although the Spain is very strongly Catholic, this has not always been and we visited an Arabic house/museum. We went to Mass at the pro Cathedral of Santa Maria and then returned home before visiting the lookout prior to the farewell dinner with all the host families. All of the pilgrims across Coria-Caceres came together in the evening. This culminated in a youth festival that finished at 1am. Sleep? Missed out again.
Our final day in Caceres was spent celebrating Mass with the Local Bishop at a basketball stadium. It was very hot, again, and many of the pilgrims started to show the effects of the heat and lack of sleep. The medicos were kept very busy. After lunch, a 4 hour bus trip to our university accommodation in Madrid.
Fatima 2
Hola. Sorry I've taken so long to get back to the blog. Internet connection over here is a little flaky.
Fatima was quite an amazing experience, an expression I'll probably overuse in the next few weeks. I have taken too many pictures to post and the iPad is not cooperating anyway. Whatever pictures have been posted have been done at home by my darling daughter Caitee.
We visited Fatima on August 13, 94 years to the day of one of the apparitions of Our Lady to the children. Want the history? Try the official site http://fatima.org or for a brief overview Wikipedia is ok.
The first thing you notice, aside from the statue of the crucifix is the large square and the people doing penance dragging themselves, or walking on their knees toward the Chapel. We eventually situated our group half way down the square near the statue. By the time Mass commenced the square was full. Someone estimated around 80,000 people. Mass went for 3 hours. The procession of the Priests and the statue of Mary was a sight to behold. At the offertory, many people came forward with offers of gifts - bags of grain, that will be distributed to the poor.
The Cathedral was beautiful, as would be expected. It too, was crowded with pilgrims and there was a significant queue to see inside.
We concluded the day with an 'international Rosary'. There five different languages used and all members of the congregation reply in their own language.
Although it was humbling to see the faith and devotion of many people at Fatima, I find such large scale worship challenging. Maybe I'm getting too old, but I prefer the quiet and reverence associated with a Chapel or Church. But, I never have been a fan of crowds. Our pilgrims loved the day and many were moved by their experience.
Then we trundles back to our coach for the 4 hour drive home.
Fatima was quite an amazing experience, an expression I'll probably overuse in the next few weeks. I have taken too many pictures to post and the iPad is not cooperating anyway. Whatever pictures have been posted have been done at home by my darling daughter Caitee.
We visited Fatima on August 13, 94 years to the day of one of the apparitions of Our Lady to the children. Want the history? Try the official site http://fatima.org or for a brief overview Wikipedia is ok.
The first thing you notice, aside from the statue of the crucifix is the large square and the people doing penance dragging themselves, or walking on their knees toward the Chapel. We eventually situated our group half way down the square near the statue. By the time Mass commenced the square was full. Someone estimated around 80,000 people. Mass went for 3 hours. The procession of the Priests and the statue of Mary was a sight to behold. At the offertory, many people came forward with offers of gifts - bags of grain, that will be distributed to the poor.
The Cathedral was beautiful, as would be expected. It too, was crowded with pilgrims and there was a significant queue to see inside.
We concluded the day with an 'international Rosary'. There five different languages used and all members of the congregation reply in their own language.
Although it was humbling to see the faith and devotion of many people at Fatima, I find such large scale worship challenging. Maybe I'm getting too old, but I prefer the quiet and reverence associated with a Chapel or Church. But, I never have been a fan of crowds. Our pilgrims loved the day and many were moved by their experience.
Then we trundles back to our coach for the 4 hour drive home.
2011/08/14
Fatima
Sorry people this will be brief because I really need some sleep. We have be going from early morning to 1am since we arrived. The average temperature is around 36 and the heat is draining. For the trip to Fatima today we were up before 5am and it's now getting on for 1am. So, the Fatima experience will have to wait for mañana. I've also downloaded about 150 photos so I'll try and put a few of them up as well.
Location:Calle de Sierpes,Caceres,Spain
2011/08/13
Coria and Caceres
Hi again,
Finally we made Spain. 24 hours in planes and then a 3 hour bus trip to Coria from Madrid. The WYD experience really came alive, in Dubai airport of all places. There we met Australian pilgrims from WA, Qld and Wagga Wagga in NSW. The Australian flags and groups of young people sitting praying really brought home the theme for WYD, "planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith". It may not be trendy for young people to declare their faith publicly, well that is the media image, but the young people on pilgrimage to WYD haven't paid any attention to that stereotype. Their faith is well planted and is being built up with each experience and it is clear that they are the new wave of evangelists the Church seeks.
From Madrid airport we journeyed to the cathedral at Coria to celebrate mass with pilgrims from Spain, France, Malawi and another group from Parramatta. Following this our two groups were re-mixed and assigned for home stay. I accompanied a group to Caceres about 70km from Coria. After the welcome celebration we were taken home by our hosts. Such wonderful hospitality! Although it may take some time for us to get used to the late nights. Dinner is served around 10pm. The siesta, however, we have agreed is something we should bring home.
The next day after a prayer service, we toured the original fort-city of Caceres, now world heritage listed. The European history of Australia looks insignificant next to Cathedrals
built in medieval times. It was fascinating to hear the stories about the churches and their history with the saints whose name they carry. Tomorrow we travel to Portugal to visit Fatima. That is sure to be a wonderful experience. And really that's what pilgrimage is about, being open to the experience.
I'll post again as soon as possible. I'm having some Internet connection drama.
Finally we made Spain. 24 hours in planes and then a 3 hour bus trip to Coria from Madrid. The WYD experience really came alive, in Dubai airport of all places. There we met Australian pilgrims from WA, Qld and Wagga Wagga in NSW. The Australian flags and groups of young people sitting praying really brought home the theme for WYD, "planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith". It may not be trendy for young people to declare their faith publicly, well that is the media image, but the young people on pilgrimage to WYD haven't paid any attention to that stereotype. Their faith is well planted and is being built up with each experience and it is clear that they are the new wave of evangelists the Church seeks.
From Madrid airport we journeyed to the cathedral at Coria to celebrate mass with pilgrims from Spain, France, Malawi and another group from Parramatta. Following this our two groups were re-mixed and assigned for home stay. I accompanied a group to Caceres about 70km from Coria. After the welcome celebration we were taken home by our hosts. Such wonderful hospitality! Although it may take some time for us to get used to the late nights. Dinner is served around 10pm. The siesta, however, we have agreed is something we should bring home.
The next day after a prayer service, we toured the original fort-city of Caceres, now world heritage listed. The European history of Australia looks insignificant next to Cathedrals
built in medieval times. It was fascinating to hear the stories about the churches and their history with the saints whose name they carry. Tomorrow we travel to Portugal to visit Fatima. That is sure to be a wonderful experience. And really that's what pilgrimage is about, being open to the experience.
I'll post again as soon as possible. I'm having some Internet connection drama.
2011/08/10
Today is the day
Hola!
Finally I'm packed and ready to go so I am writing this from home and not the airport. We fly out at 9:10 this evening. There are still some questions to be answered about travel vouchers for our group but that will now have to wait until Spain. The Spanish attitude seems to be a little more relaxed than ours. Maybe that's a good thing. If you remember WYD in Cologne you will recall things didn't quite to plan with the organisation. The transport system certainly struggled.
Sydney worked a treat but relied heavily on the Parishes and the generous parishioners before WYD week and schools and school staff during the WYD festivities. But that's what makes it all a success, to be generous with your time and ability and to be open to the experience. Certainly I will be relying on the generosity of the locals of Caceres as I am being billeted there as a part of the Days in the Diocese.
I have had some communication with Bishop fisher's group in the Holy Land. An amazing experience! Each pilrgim group has their own official blog which can be accessed through the www.parra.catholic.org.au and click on the WYD button and then on the right hand side of the blue tool bar is the WYD Blog button. Click there and you can follow the progress and the experiences of each of the four groups from Parramatta Diocese.
Next blog will be from Spain, unless I get bored during our stop over in Dubai.
Adios.
2011/08/05
Not long now
The commissioning Mass at the Cathedral was a wonderful celebration and you could feel the excitement of the pilgrims. The Bishop's homily was, as usual, challenging us to live our faith. That's what WYD is all about really. The Bishop also spoke about the places his pilgrimage group would be visiting in the Holy Land, among the many highlights Mass on the sea of Galilee. The Holy Land has never been on my list of places to visit because of all the unrest, but how exciting it would be to see all those places we hear about in Mass every weekend.
We had our last meeting on Wednesday night and two of the Parramatta groups flew out the next day. I spoke with the two students who are members of Bishop Anthony's pilgrimage and are representing Gilroy. They were excited about what was ahead and also a little apprehensive. The remaining two groups, including mine, fly out next Wednesday, I guess my next entry will be from the airport or from Madrid.
We had our last meeting on Wednesday night and two of the Parramatta groups flew out the next day. I spoke with the two students who are members of Bishop Anthony's pilgrimage and are representing Gilroy. They were excited about what was ahead and also a little apprehensive. The remaining two groups, including mine, fly out next Wednesday, I guess my next entry will be from the airport or from Madrid.
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