ukpilgrims

Yes, the waiting is now over and we’re all in a mad rush and panic to pack those last minute things.

This morning before heading in to work I could be found sitting resolutely on my suitcase. Jamming all those essentials in. Trying to get it to shut – worrying that my suitcase is too heavy, too big.

Of course once I’d dragged my case onto the bus and arrived at work, a new set of questions arose. What equipment do I need? Does it fit in hand luggage?

So now I’m half ready – still got to pack away my laptop and cameras – I’m a terrrible traveler. I can fly, drive or coach any journey fine, its the worry in making sure you have everything, it drives me mad!

Packing all done, I’ve registered the Comms Officers for iCat, which you can read abouthere. I’m just finishing off my notes as I’m speaking at the event! I looked at the list of speakers earlier and they are all very qualified! Should be interesting.

Now I’m off to finish off those niggling bits and pieces, and then there is nothing more we can do. I’ll be off on the Gatwick express and chekcing in to Travelodge trying to grab a few zs before our early flight to Porto (yes Portugal!).

We’ll be checking in at 4:30am, and flying about 6:55am, so say a pray for a safe flight!

To keep up-to-date with us check back here.

I have never been to World Youth Day before, or experienced anything like it. I’m told that any retreat I have been on before will pale in comparison to the intense, busy and draining time I’m about to have.

I’ve heard horror stories of pilgrims in sleeping bags unable to sleep in crowded school halls. I’ve heard whispers and rumours that temperatures will reach a sweltering 40 degrees. So having heard all these tales why am I still going?

Perhaps it’s because I can think of a million reasons to counteract every one of these dilemmas. 2.5million other reasons, to be precise – the number of young attending World Youth Day. 2.5million sharing in the same faith, the same excitement, ready to see the Pope and to pray and share in the Eucharist together. It’s not often that you get the feeling that you’re totally accepted for what you believe, in fact sometimes it can feel like you’re all alone as a young catholic. World Youth Day promises acceptance, understanding and peace. Peace even amongst all the hype and excitement, noise and crowds.

How do I know this? Well nearly a year ago I met the Pope.

During the Papal Visit last September I had one moment of peace among the bustle and craziness of it all. Delirious from lack of sleep, exhausted from all the running around it came to the Saturday morning Mass at Westminster Cathedral.

Forced to wake at 5am, neither the tiredness nor fatigue abated, but as we all gathered together in the entrance to Archbishop’s House to greet the Pope it hit me. The Pope was about to arrive, and I was about to be within touching distance. No more zooming the camera in to try and get a better view – the Holy Father was going to be right in front of me.

I saw his red shoe get out of the car, and we all fell silent as he walked up the stairs. He was directed to stand in the middle of us. A few clicks and flashes and then he was gone again – just his red shoes clicking down the hall. Although it had been a brief moment out of a long week, it was a moment that resonated deep within me.

Then when I sat down on the cold, wet ground at Cofton Park at 3am, and as we sang in unison during the Beatification Mass I was overcome with an emotion I can barely describe. It was an overwhelming feeling of love for everyone there, for all of the people sharing the experience with me – we all were praising God with one voice.

This August when I’m stood in Cuatro Vientos aerodrome, clutching my prayer book ready for the Mass, I know that I’ll feel the same way. Except this time I’ll be able to share the joy. My year long journey will have come full circle – beginning and ending with the Holy Father. At that moment, even though the Pope will probably be a dot on the horizon, and the best view I’ll get will be via a big screen, I’ll feel as if he’s as close as he was on that Saturday morning. A pilgrimage that began a year ago on a cold September morning will end that hot day in Madrid. That’s why I’ll brave the sleepless nights, sweltering weather and the crowded city, because who wouldn’t want to be part of this?

So everyone can join in and in an attempt to capture all the madness, I will be blogging (www.rcdow.org.uk/wyd) and tweeting right from the start of our pilgrimage in Salamanca, along to Avila and Madrid by coach, and live from the youth festival, letting everyone know about the concerts, theatre, free galleries and our experiences. We’re going to have a great time!

This blog post appeared in The Times Online, Articles of Faith blog on 3 August 2011. 

The 10th August is finally here! At this moment in time, we are in Newmarket, picking up the last of our group and then we are heading straight down to Dover to catch the ferry!

Our 3 Shrine Challenge (3 shrines in 3 countries in 3 days) started bright and early at 4 45 for me, when I had to pack up my air bed and sleeping bag and grab a taxi to travel a mile to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. We were able to celebrate Mass in the Slipper Chapel, which really started our pilgrimage.

Our next stop is Lourdes tomorrow and I will keep people informed with a new post tomorrow!!

Ruth

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