UPDATE — Friday Photos AND Commentary

Fr. Jesus Maria, Territorial director of Spain, celebrates mass for the Regnum Christi members attending WYD

A few of the many priests concelebrating at the RC mass prepare to give communion

Friday August 19

Today is our 5th day in Madrid. The week has been extremely eventful and full of excitement. We’ve seen the Pope, toured Madrid, walked several miles a day, eaten tapas, gotten lost, been squished in metros, and through it all we’ve gone to bed around 1 am and have been waking up at 7 am.

Consequently everyone is just a little exhausted. It’s been such a memorable week that we need some time to soak it all it. How does a nap on the lawns of the famous Parque de Retiro sound? Or, if you’re not that tired, what about a peaceful walk down the street to pick up some gelato?

Yes, today is our down day. We split into travel groups based on our energy levels (more or less). As I write this, it is the end of the day for me and I must admit that I too am a little tired, so I’ll make it short (and sweet!).  I’m sitting in a little cafe on a comfy sofa chair typing away. I just had a delicious custom made (off the menu) passion fruit and pineapple shake along with a chocolate filled pastry. Let me just tell you how I got here.

Tori and I waiting for the RC mass to begin at the stadium

RC members cheering before Mass

Family Reunion with Regnum Christi

The first event of our day was the mass with all Regnum Christi members at the Santiago Bernabeu soccer stadium, the same place where the Vocation Coffee House is held. Not only was it cool to have mass in a soccer stadium, but it was also fun to be with my family in the movement. We saw many people who we hadn’t seen in months or, for some, years. Prior to mass, everyone cheered and sang together with the music while waving their flags. It was definitely a “family moment.” During the homily the territorial director of Spain encouraged each one of us to ask ourselves, “What is God asking of me?” God’s plan is where we will find what we were created for. He said that the lasting memories we will take with us from Madrid will not be the photos or the souvenirs, but the spiritual experience of Christ. In that single half hour homily he motivated us to strive to build the civilization of justice and love that our world so desperately needs.

Around town

As I said earlier, today was our “down” day. My idea of down time is walking through the streets, tasting all the foods I’ve been dying to try, and visiting a few museums and cathedrals. We first headed to central Madrid for lunch. On the way we all had to get off the metro because the doors wouldn’t close. After we squished our way through the crowds of people and finally saw the light of day, we realized that the metro breaking was really a blessing in disguise. We ended up spending the entire day walking instead of taking the metro. This enabled us to see much more of Madrid than we had in the past two days! The pictures (when I manage to get them up will prove it). In the hot sun, we enjoyed the best gelato ever. I think it will be hard to go back to ice cream after that! We attempted to get in to the Prado Museum of Art since it was free for pilgrims, but we weren’t ready to endure the 5 hour line. Instead, we went to another nearby art museum, Thyssesn-Bornemisza that had a small exposition of religious art; namely, encounters of Christ with people throughout the gospels. Then, we walked to the Cathedral of Almudena and then to a small restaurant across the street to taste some authentic Spanish tapas. I got a good taste and experience of the Spanish culture and the city of Madrid.

The streets of downtown Madrid

Walking down the famous Gran Via of Madrid

Via Crucis

At 7:30 we sat down in a plaza to watch the Holy Father and the Stations of the Cross on a large screen. Different groups of people took turns carrying the cross to each station. It showed that the youth can share not only their youthful spirit but also can unite in their difficulties as Christ carried his cross.

Now, I’m sitting in that little cafe, ready to head back to Everest for a cold shower and a good sleep. No worries about finding time in the morning to write today’s blog or rushing off to a wifi spot to send it. I’m ahead of time (plus six hours ahead of you). Tomorrow, we will camp out (sleeping bags and all) at the place where the vigil with Holy Father will be. Until next time!

Watching the Holy Father and the Way of the Cross from a screen at a plaza

Lines too long for the showers?…Head to the fountain!