In our blog today, we’re concentrating on the Opening Mass in Madrid.
We gathered in our small groups, then we left and proceeded towards Mass. As we crowded on the roads that were shut off for Mass, we realised that there was hardly anywhere to sit. It was extremely cramped as we had to sit where we stood. We have been given a Magnificat, so that we can follow all the services that happen. However, this Mass was particularly hard to follow, because we couldn’t hear some parts of the Mass, due to the microphone not really working properly, and everything was in Spanish (which we kind of expected, but we were expecting some help!). However, the experience to of sitting with people from all over the world was brilliant, because we were mingling with them and it was good to be part of such a big crowd. The World Youth Day song was played at the start and it was good to hear everyone singing and joining in, as it sounded really catchy! It also reflected the essence of World Youth Day.
The next morning, we began our Catechesis sessions in local parishes . Various English-speaking countries were put together, from Canada, America, Ireland, the UK, South Africa, etc. We had a Canadian Bishop to lead the Catechesis and he was speaking very clearly of how faith is a gift from God and at the same time our response to His call. He gave us different steps for remaining “Firm in the Faith” and likened it to our baptismal promises. After a long question-and-answer session, we finally had an English Mass! This was really lovely, as we were able to understand exactly where we were in the Mass, even if we did say everything a bit fast!
Tomorrow, it’s the Yellow Group! They’ll be covering the Welcoming Ceremony, as the Pope landed at 12 today and is, as I type this, around the streets of Madrid.
The Red Group
