ukpilgrims

Thanks to everyone who listened in to Isabel Wells, one of our Hertfordshire pilgrims on Sunday. She appeared on BBC Three Counties talking on Melting Pot in the early hours – around quarter to nine!

You can still listen to her interview here.

Myself and another pilgrim from our group headed to BBC London studios, but due to the riots had to pre-record our interview instead of the scheduled live broadcast, so listen in next week if you can Sunday 14 August 8:40am. We’ll also update BBC London in how we’re getting on at WYD while we’re there

Jo-Anne

This time next week I will be in Spain and I can’t help thinking about how my days will pan out, the various events and endless possibilities of activities and events to attend.

I set foot on Spanish soil on Sunday at around 13:00hrs and I will be picked up by an Spanish family who belong to the missionary family of Verbum Dei. This will be a great start to my trip, not only because I have been invited into the home of a Spanish family but also because they are practicing catholics and are preparing to make vows to consecrate themselves to God in this community.

On Monday, I will set off to the centre of Madrid to pick up my official press pass and then to a Communication officer’s clinic. I can’t wait to get all the stories from the other guys about the days in the Dioceses maybe over some tapas! Will we get our WYD back packs then? I will be checking the events guide…and when the Festival of Forgiveness and the Vocations Fair will be…

On Tuesday, sightseeing time, I would love to visit the Prado museum and maybe catching up with some other pilgrims from around the world whom I follow on Twitter… In the evening is our first official event, the opening mass at Plaza de Cibeles.

Wednesday, we are on World Youth Day proper, there is so much I want to see…already I have my ticket to attend Viva La Vida prolife conference, here I will catch up with Ooberfuse who will be playing live.

Thursday, I intend to visit Love and Life, the home for the english pilgrims. I also would like to head to Iglesia San Jose where Edwin Fawcett, an English Catholic musician, will be playing. I will try to visit all these keeping my cool because in the evening at 7:30 we will be the Welcoming of the Pope!!!!

Friday is the Station’s of the Cross and Saturday we head off walking on pilgrimage to Cuatro Vientos which is 4-5 miles from where we will be based. There will be lots of opportunities to talk and share with fellow pilgrims before the Vigil with the Pope. We sleep over night there, under the stars, I imagine we will be chatting, singing and praying/ adoration all night long. Next morning is the 10:30 World Youth Day Mass with he Pope together with an invite to the next WYD to be celebrated….?…the Pope only knows….

I Can’t wait, there is only 6 days to go!