Hello! My name is Margaret Antonio and for the next few days I will be your window into World Youth Day. I am very grateful to have this opportunity to go to Spain along with my school and friends to share our faith, especially with our peers. I attend a high school, Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA), for girls discerning consecrated life in Regnum Christi. With approximately 30-60 students a year, our school is small compared to average high schools…but then again, we definitely don’t fall under the category of “every other high school.” The girls who go to ICA and myself are called precandidates, which means that we are pre-candidates for consecrated life as part of our discernment. I will be blogging during the next few days on behalf of my school and, in a way, on behalf of all the WYD participants, to help you join our journey to World Youth Day and participate in the events.
Sunday, August 14 8 pm En route from Boston to London
The day has finally arrived after weeks of counting down, months of planning, and over a year of fundraising! So far there are 47 of us gathered to begin our journey to World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain. Once we reach Madrid, we will meet up with three more to complete our group of 50 precandidates, friends, and family. However, it would be an injustice to skip right into the pilgrimage without mentioning at least some of the preparations leading up to the long awaited “Sunday 7 pm departure.” So as I relate some of our experiences in preparation take a moment to share in the full pilgrimage experience.
The last 36 hours have definitely been quite the adventure. Just imagine over twenty teenage girls packing in an open dorm. “Should I wear the jean skirt to the airport or the khaki one?” “If you had to choose, would you bring the straightener or the blow dryer?” I must admit that I too was a part of the general chaos of decision making. However, here, I must make a clearer depiction of the atmosphere. It wasn’t a kind of frantic free for all, but rather a more “peaceful” disarray of packing and taking last minute trips to Walmart. I would more accurately characterize yesterday and this morning as moments of excitement and anticipation. Why wouldn’t it be? Here we’re going to Madrid, Spain to participate in an international event with thousands of other people our own age who are passionate about their faith. Yes, you would be probably be excited too and asking those same questions about packing everything from sleeping bags and camping gear to blow dryers and straighteners.
However, packing and the atmosphere of anticipation are not the only ways we have been preparing for WYD. About two weeks ago we had a crash course to brush up on our Spanish. The ICA curriculum includes an intensive Spanish course. However, it only took a few moments for us to realize that the school-less summer days had definitely taken their toll. Nevertheless, with such a great motivation as going to World Youth Day, we quickly caught on and (hopefully) recovered much of our Spanish. Of course, the real test will come in the next days.
Yet, all of this would be almost useless for our trip to WYD if we did not prepare spiritually. After all, it is a pilgrimage and, as Webster would define it, it is “a long journey, especially one undertaken as a quest or for a votive purpose…” The main reason we are going is not because we want to taste some authentic paella, or because our parents want us to have an overseas experience, or even to brush up on our rusty Spanish skills. We wouldn’t even be on this plane to Spain if it weren’t for Christ. Already we have seen two other groups in the airport heading off to WYD at the same time as us. Why else, would thousands of young people come to Madrid but to celebrate their Catholic faith?
There are many reasons to look forward to this pilgrimage and I am sure that living it will exceed our expectations. As our director, Caroline Wilders, said “the experience goes far beyond the words.” Hopefully this daily blog will give you a little insight into the the life of a pilgrim and what it’s like to be one of the many young people gathered with Pope Benedict XVI to celebrate World Youth Day. I am glad to have you all aboard, sharing our pilgrimage experience!
So excited for all the PCs and really excited to hear about your experiences Margaret. I went to the PC with your older sister Christina (we were in the same grade) and while Melicia was there too. Love your sisters. Hope you all have a wonderful experience at WYD!
Thank you, Margaret. Your thoughts are special and make me feel like I’m right there with you. The Precandadicy is a special grace and give great hope to the world! God Bless.
Thanks & I love you.