Viva il Papa!

This morning we returned to the Basilica de Nuestra Senor de Atocha and listened to Archbishop Timothy Dolan from New York give the catechesis on the topic: Established in Jesus Christ. Archbishop Dolan gave us a systematic way of approaching this with 7 key things to try to do to be established in Jesus Christ.

Following Mass and lunch in Parque del Buen Retiro we sought to gain a good position for the Holy Father’s arrival into Madrid. We settled on a position by the Puerta de Alcala which Pope Benedict XVI was to walk through with 5 young people. After a 4 hour wait (luckily in the shade for the most part) the Pope arrived to cheers from the thousands of pilgrims who had congregated along the boulevards of Madrid. And thus began our 4 day encounter with the Pope, who points us in the direction of Jesus Christ as we journey on together.

Some photos to come tomorrow!

Firm in Faith – The teaching begins!

Today marked the first of 3 consecutive days of Catechesis (a teaching that helps us to understand more about our faith). The topic’s are set down by the Pope and delivered by bishop’s from around the world. We chose to venture to the Basilica de Nuestra Senor de Atocha to listen to Archbishop Mark Coleridge from the archdiocese of Canberra-Goulburn in Australia. His catechesis was engaging and he presented a challenge to all pilgrims to turn wanderings (where the destination is unknown) into journeys (where the destination is known) and that this journey should always be towards Christ. Archbishop Coleridge was pleased to the pilgrims from Sandhurst with our t-shirts bearing Bishop Joe’s trademark saying, ‘God Does Not Make Rubbish’. Archbishop Coleridge was a dear friend and class-mate of Bishop Joe and preached the homily at his Funeral Mass.

Wednesday night meant only one thing! Off to see Fr. Rob and Jason play their only open concert at WYD. We made the trek out to Alcorcon and were joined by approximately 600 other pilgrims, including other Aussies, Maltese, Germans, Canadians and Spanish (a special mention to the pilgrims from Talavera who came along for a second catch-up in as many days!) Everyone partied hard with the mosh-pit constantly growing in size with each song Fr. Rob and the band played!

1 Air-conditioned Stadium + 4000 Aussies +WYD Spirit = Really Good Time!!!!

Finally the day has arrived when the WYD celebrations really begin! At midday 4000 Aussie’s streamed into Palacio de Deportes for the traditional Australian Gathering at WYD. Two hours of fun, faith and unity followed, including tributes to Bishop Joe by Archbishop Philip Wilson in his opening address and by Fr. Rob during the song ‘God Does Not Make Rubbish’. The gathering concluded with the roof being lifted as Fr. Rob closed the gathering with a cover of Taio Cruz’s Dynamite. 

After a siesta back at our accommodation we had an early Spanish dinner at 6pm then made our way to the opening Mass. Unfortunately the crowds had begun to find their places much earlier in the day and we were a long way back and could only see a screen without any sound. Lesson for the day: Arrive early for the Papal welcome in 2 days time! The one bonus of being at the back was that we ran into some of the people from Talavera who had hosted us during Days in the Diocese, lots of hugs, double kisses and use of our Spanish phrasebooks ensued until we had to say goodbye for the second time!

Hola Madrid!

Our arrival into Madrid reminded everyone that we are pilgrims not tourists with our university accommodation being basic (but much better than a school floor!) The opportunity to rest and settle in came as a relief to everyone after a jam-packed 5 days in Talavera. Before tea the group took the opportunity to pray a decade of the rosary to give thanks for our pilgrimage so far. We then each took part in blessing Jason and Fr. Rob before their performance at the Australian Gathering.

Adios Talavera!

Our last two days in Talavera were filled with many emotions. But in particular, happiness and sadness. Happiness that we had met such wonderful people who took us into their homes and made us feel a part of a new family for 5 days and sadness that we were going to farewell these same families so soon.

Everyone spent the day with their families on Sunday with activities including watching a bull fight (don't worry mum's and dad's there was no active participation!), much needed sleep ins, shopping in Madrid and escaping the hot weather at the pool. The day finished with prayer in the Basilica del Prado in Talvera on the Vigil of the Feast of the Assumption and an opportunity to spend time talking to Jesus during adoration.

And then the final day! Hugs, tears, photos, more tears, even more photos and hugs again as we bid farewell to those who had so graciously welcomed us only 5 days ago. The friendships formed over the past 5 days will no doubt live on for a long time, and our hosts in Talavera will never be forgotten. No sooner had the door on the bus closed and our new families disappeared into the distance and some people were talking about returning to visit. We give thanks to God for the families that opened their homes to us and made us feel so very welcome and hope our paths cross again some day!

Talavera Part 2

Top: Aussie's and some of our new Spanish friends after the first soccer match
Bottom Left: Jason enjoying the spoils of a host family with a pool
Bottom Middle: Our performance of I Still Call Australia Home for the retirement home.
Bottom Right: Gen and Tammy at the 'Via Crucis' (Way of the Cross) in Talavera.


Unfortunately the soccer didn't go to well. We lost to the French by a few to many goals but managed to score 2 goals against the Italian's although we couldn't correct the tragedy of the 2006 Soccer World Cup by beating them, going down 3-2.
Together with some of our Spanish hosts we put on a short performance for some of the people in a retirement home. Our rousing renditions of We Are Australian, I Still Call Australia Home and Waltzing Matilda with a twist were greatly appreciated by the elderly.


Saturday night gave us all a chance to once more slow down and join in one of the magnificent moments of prayer that are experienced on pilgrimage as we joined with 1500 other pilgrims from around the world who were being hosted in Talavera for the Via Crucis. A hush came over the crowd as the statue of Jesus on the Cross appeared from the doors of the oldest church in Talavera, followed by another of his mother, Mary. One and all joined in the solemn procession around the town recalling the sacrifice Jesus made for us.

Talavera

Top Left: Aussie, Aussie Aussie. Oi, Oi, Oi. at the gathering of all pilgrims particpating in Days in the Diocese in Talavera
Top Right: Pilgrims and host families at a swimming hole outside Talavera
Bottom Left: The Mayor of Talavera at the official welcome ceremony in the Talavera Town Hall
Bottom Right: Pilgrims and their new ´brothers and sisters´ on top of a local castle

Having well and truly settled in with our new adopted families we set off on a much more pleasant bus ride to visit a castle just outside Talavera with parts of it dating to the 12th-14th centuries.

From there we travelled to a beautiful chapel where Fr. Rob and Fr. Jake led us in a moving mass. By the time mass finished at 2:30 us Aussie´s were beyond hungry and found a place outside to eat lunch packed by our loving host families, only to be stopped in our tracks by a sudden torrential downpour which left everyone ducking for cover.

But even the rain wasn´t going to stop everyone changing into their bathers and going for a swim at a local watering hole in the river (see the photo above). The end to another long day (the sun sets around 10:30pm each night) we gathered with other international pilgrims to watch a musical the people in Talavera had produced about how everything is going to change once we meet Jesus and are tuched by his love.

For many this was their first real taste of World Youth Day itself with singing, dancing and around 300 very excited Portuguese pilgrims teaching us all a dance! Don´t ask us what the words were but we can do the actions!

Today the aussies take on the world in the soccer match! Stay tuned for details of how we fair against some of the most soccer mad countries in the world! Did any one bring a ´real´ football?

Avila and onto Toledo

Top Left: Ailish with some of´the girls from our host families
Top Middle: Praying at the oldest church in our host city, Talavera de la Reina
Top Right: Our tour guide from Avila and her ´flag´to follow
Bottom: Pilgrims with host families on a walking tour of Talavera

We awoke on Wednesday morning to our last day in Avila, after the Queenslanders joined in singing Loz happy birthday we left for our tour of the city. The cathedral was amazing, the church that is built over the birthplace of St. Teresa of Avila humbling and the local guide absolutely hilarious!

Next it was onto Toledo, a beautiful old town in which, unfortunately, we only had 3 hours to spend and so could not see as much of the city as the guide was hoping to show us but we did get to visit the Toledo Cathedral and see up close the monstrance that will be used during the adoration with the Holy Father at the WYD Vigil in Madrid.

After a long day and a taxing bus ride, kept lively with sing-alongs to any english song on the radio (which was most) we arrived in Talavera to meet our host families. We have been blown away by their hospitality and care for us! To them we say Muchas Gracias!

Photos from Segovia

Top Left: Fr. Jake, Jason and Jackson in front of the Roman Aqueduct in Segovia
Top Right: Group Photo with some pilgrims we met along the way
Bottom Left: Junray, Steph and Helena front the group photo at the Aqueduct in Segovia

Avila and Segovia

Its been a long journey and an exciting few days. After over 30 hours of travel we have all arrived safely in Avila! After an unexpected short walk through the old city (with bags and all) we arrived at the Residencia de Santo Thomas and were greeted with a chance to rest before going back into Avila for a little sightseeing. The late meal times (dinner is between 9 & 11) will take some getting used to.

Day 2: This morning we visited the tomb of Saint John of the Cross and the spirit of Bishop Joe was definitely present as we celebrated Mass in the presence of this great mystic of the church. Bishop Joe insisted that we visit Segovia and the burial place of St. John of the Cross and the experience did not disappoint, with many pilgrims overcome with emotion as they shared in the Eucharist. Already we have begun to encounter the people from all over the world in our 2 days in Spain, meeting some Brazilian's at the Madrid Airport, American's in Avila and a group from Mexico who made an impromptu stop in Segovia and joined us for Mass at St. John's tomb. A walking tour of Segovia followed encompassing the Cathedral of Segovia, the Roman Aqueduct and the Alcazar, which was used as part of the basis of the Cinderella Castle created by Walt Disney. Back at the Residencia de Santo Thomas we have been joined by 51 pilgrims from the Townsville Diocese, with stories being shared about what each of the groups have experienced so far on pilgrimage (much easier than trying to converse in Spanish! Thankfully we have had Bea, our amazing Spanish guide who has helped us through the tough spots! Muchas Gracias Bea!)

And so we Buenas Noches (Good night) and there will be more from Spain in the days to come!

Australian Merchandise Arrives

The national 'Aussie Pilgrim' merchandise has arrived just in the nick of time, distribution begins today!

9 Days to Go!!

9 days till departure for Madrid World Youth Day!!