The Journal of a Pilgrim and Volunteer — Day 7

Br Antonio at WYD volunteer headquarters

“On the seventh day God completed the work he had been doing; he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken” Genesis 2, 2. This is my seventh day at the WYD, but it was not a day of rest for the volunteers. The pilgrims are arriving little by little and the volunteers need to make sure everything is ready. All over the city you can already see everywhere the green backpacks, WYD shirts; it is really amazing. For example, in every subway station and major plaza there are groups of volunteers with an “Information Booth” (when I see them, I always like to stop and cheer them up). The people from Rio are completely in awe with the whole thing. Everywhere they go they find young people from all over the World. It is the Catholic Youth invasion, and the WY-D-Day is coming! Pope Francis is arriving soon.

Rene (left) and Br Antonio with the translation team at Copacabana Beach

This morning I was at the metro and saw a priest. I always go out of my way to greet priests when I see them (you should do the same; they are ambassadors of God). The priest greeted me back in Spanish with a strong accent from Spain. I told him I was a brother and he asked me back “Which Congregation?” to which I replied I was a legionary of Christ. He opened his eye and smiled “I am a legionary too!” and I said “So, I will give you a legionary greeting” which is a hand shake, embrace, ending with another hand shake. This priest just arrived from Madrid with a group of students of the University Francisco de Vitoria.

Copacabana Beach -- before the pilgrims arrive

Today was the most intense day of training. When I arrived at World Youth Day I was told that I would do written translations mainly for the website. To be honest, I am happy even if they send me to clean restrooms. The most important thing is to support Pope Francis and the pilgrims. Yesterday, I was told that I would participate in a test to select simultaneous translators for the main events (the activities of the Pope). I said to myself “I never will be selected — they need native English speakers to do the job”. This morning I went with a group of translators to do the test at WYD Volunteers headquarters (known as COL), and I could not believe when they told me I was selected. It seems that they need someone that knows theological and ecclesiastic terms. So, I will be working with four other translators (one of them is the consecrated woman Rene Blackwell, who in my opinion is far away the best among us).

Br Antonio -- in studio!

In the afternoon we went to Copacabana Beach to receive some training with the translation equipment. The stage that the Pope will use is almost done. It is amazing all the structure that was built along the beach. They have huge screens, sound systems, and structures for the Stations of the Cross along the beach shore (it is 2.4 miles long). The simultaneous translation will work in the back of the main stage, inside a couple of trailers that function as studios. The translation will be broadcast by radio and the foreign pilgrims will be able to listen to the main events with the Pope in their own languages. As a matter of fact, during the WYD week, there will be 7 radio stations for each one of the main languages with a program of music, news, and activities of WYD.