Author: Capital Catholic Happenings

Friday, August 19, 2011

I think it’s nearly impossible to get anywhere on time during World Youth Day.  You have to tack an extra hour onto the normal travel time for wherever you want to go.

Missed our train to Toledo, Spain this morning at 10:20 am.  We arrived at the station at exactly 10:20am… so technically, we weren’t late.  Decided to take the next train at 12:20 pm.  The Refne Train is a commodity here in Madrid as it travels super-fast, making the hour long car drive to Toledo only 25 minutes.

While waiting for the next departure, we walked around town and purchased red and blue clothespins to decorate with U.S.A. mottos.  Everyone at WYD has been trading buttons, flags, etc. and it turns out a lot of people want our American paraphanalia.  As some of us forgot to bring trading goods, clothespins will have to do…

Toledo (Photo at right) was absolutely beautiful.  Built on a hill, the city’s summit is a great cathedral.  After crossing a bridge over a river moat and passing through the city’s great wall that surrounds the city, we made our way up the steep cobblestone roads to the cathedral.   Inside the vast space with high ceiling and towering pillars, we were overcome by awe.  Following along with a walking tour of the cathedral in a guide book, we learned some extremely interesting things—in the choir section scenes of sins were portrayed on the seats because nothing holy could ever be sat upon.  Additionally, in the chamber room there were paintings of all Toledo’s bishops.  The fun fact is that only the last two paintings were done as live portraits and looking closely you will see that every two or three bishops look strikingly (suspiciously) similar.   Most likely the artists reused faces every so often.

The remainder of our day was spent exploring the streets of Toledo and then returning to Madrid for the Via de la Cruz (Way of the Cross).  As could be seen on the big screen, the stations were intricately designed and stood on large floats.  Different identified groups of pilgrims would carry a life size cross between stations.  It was frustrating though, that I could not understand Pope Benedict’s address to the youth at the culmination of the ceremony.  As we are in Spain, the Pope has been speaking Spanish and no translation for any other language is provided.  I am going to have to figure out how to fix this because the Pope is the most important person here to hear!  I have seen some other pilgrims listening to little radios in order to understand.  Purchasing a mini-radio is now top on my priority list…other then getting some sleep that is.

After Day 5, I am wearing thin.  The crowds are claustrophobic and smelly.  I don’t even want to think about how many people I have touched and how many gallons of water I have sweated out (my apologies for probably unnecessary details).  The early mornings and late nights after walking and standing all day throughout Madrid are making my head hurt.  Staying in a room with fourteen other people and their stuff is not easy.  And I haven’t made it to the Prado Museum or eaten Chocolate con Churros yet, both which I hear are must do’s.

Lord, I pray that tomorrow you may get our group through the 5 mile hike, which begins at 9:15 am, to the site where we will spending the evening and vigil celebration before the concluding mass Sunday morning.  Give us Your strength to pull through as You did while carrying Your cross through the streets to Calvary.  Make us brave and faithful youth for You.  “Esta es la Juventud del Papa!” (This is the youth of the Pope).

Eliz.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Pope Benedict arrived in Madrid today and we got to the streets super early, securing an excellent pope-viewing spot—second row, to be exact.  In ready position at 11am, we had two and a half hours to spare before Papa Ratzi (as the Italians have nicknamed him) was to complete his drive through the streets and finish at his Spanish dwelling, right across the corner from where we stood.  The hours were filled with time for reflection, people watching (my personal favorite), chanting and cheering, and befriending four Polish volunteers!  They taught us how to say “thank you” in Polish—Dziequje, pronounced JenKUya—as we ended up having to say that to them quite a few times…  We also had an opportunity to hear the girls’ studies in Warsaw and of course take pictures together!

Hearing the approaching cheers prompted by the Popemobile, we all then crowed as close to the barricades as possible and readied our cameras.  In front of us were standing three disguised protestors. Right as the Pope was about to pass, they open a large banner and hold it high, blocking everyone’s view behind them.  Understandably frustrated, we all tried to pull it down.  It was then that a policeman made them take the sign down and we were able to see the pilgrims across the street cheering violently at the protestors.  Only then did we realize the whole time these protestors had been under our nose since the beginning.  Eventually the policeman confiscated their banner, thank goodness!

So seeing the Pope in the Popemobile was not as uplifting as I expected, though a group member was able to reach her hand high above the banner and get a perfect video of the whole thing.  Reflecting back on the experience now, however, this is just one example of the persecution most Catholic youth go through daily.  And we stood all together through it all, success indeed.  Additionally, imagine what Christ endured carrying His cross to Calvary, a much stronger pain of persecution, as it puts into perspective just how much Jesus sacrificed to save us, the sinners.  Pope Benedict XI, the Vicar of Christ, does the exact same thing.

Next stop, the English speaking base in Madrid: the Love and Life Center.  Here we waited in line for almost 45 min for pizza and Coke (lunch was much needed) and then heard from panelists speaking on the Theology of the Body.  It was a wonderful experience to see so many other enthused youth and to hear from inspiring speakers such as Jason Everett.  But honestly, the best things about the event were as follows: air conditioning, English speaking people, and bathrooms.

Moving on to the welcoming celebration for the Pope, we had to again endure the absolute craziness of the metro crowds.  Waiting two or three times to get on a train is becoming normal.  The celebration was similar to the Pope’s entrance earlier in the day.  With constant cheering, standing, and another display of the Popemobile, the only difference was the increased mass of crowds.  Oh, and no protestors.  Welcomed and presented with a gift by a youth from each continent, Pope Benedicto, encouraged us to cherish friendships and to always participate in joyful celebration for the glory of God.

With sore feet and exhausted bodies after standing and walking the whole day, we returned home to discover a sudden second wind.  Laughing and taking ridiculous pictures as we reflected on many funny anecdotes from the day, our abs certainly got a workout.  God has showed his love by ending our tiring, up-down day on a good note.  He always figures out something if we just pay attention. Thank You, thank You, thank You!

Eliz.

Wednesday August 17, 2011

Today started with an 8:45am wake up after a much needed seven hours of sleep and a light Spanish breakfast, before heading to the Viva la Vida! Pro-Life Youth Festival.  Organized by the Irish, the conference showcased many Pro-life Programs throughout the world (England, USA, Poland, Canada, Australia, Austria, New Zealand, and Ireland were all represented).  The speakers’ main theme centered on the importance of using images to proclaim the evil of abortion, as they have proven to be extremely effective.  The goal of each group was to end abortion, totally and completely: First by changing public opinion, and then the law.  Currently, many speakers said, society uses people and loves things.  We are acting completely backwards. Interspersed between the presentations, several bands performed and the crowd got more riled up each time.

Highlights included a talk by Lila Rose, founder of Live Action, who dedicates her life to ending abortion and investigates Planned Parenthood’s facilitation of child abuse through undercover operations (check out her videos on YouTube!)  The band L’Angelus was also a hit! A combination of Cajun fiddle tunes, saxophone pop, and New Orleans R&B, these four siblings put on quite a show that got the audience off their feet to say the least!  It was not long before their younger 9 and 5 year old sisters, 7 year old twin brothers, and mother came on to perform as well—such a powerful expression of family and life.

After the conference, we made our way (extremely slowly due to increasingly massive crowds) to the Parque del Retiro.  The metro was just insane…picture included…but it just goes to show how many youth there are out there living the Catholic Faith.  Ole!

Exiting the metro we immediately come across a church and went inside to take a peak and say a prayer.  The contrast from the crowded and noisy streets to the air conditioned and serene church was significant.  It felt as if God was reminding us to take a hiatus from our busy lives and make that quiet time for Our Lord.  Just so happens the priest needed an English version of the WYD pilgrimage book and we had one.   Mass was starting in 10 minutes.  I bet you can guess what happened.  The mass was beautiful, and in English! The Lord is always leading us to where he wants us to be and He certainly had a plan for us today.

At the park we stopped for ice cream (a necessity of course), stood in the shade from the hot sun while watching a youth pep rally and band (the spirit never dies down, wherever you go), and made friends with some Italians who fervently tried to persuade us to trade our American flag for theirs along with every other patriotic item they had.  After a solid 20 minutes of friendly argumentation, we decided to meet at the same spot at 3pm on Saturday to exchange flags, story to be continued…

After finally making it back through the crowded metro to our host’s home, we quickly changed into a clean and sweat free pair of clothes before heading back to town for dinner.  Exiting the Puerta del Sol metro stop around 8:20pm, we stumbled upon a march of protestors against the pope.  Now this is something I would rather not include but I believe it to be significant to the heart of the youth here today.  Despite lines of police separating the youth from the protestors and blocking two major streets, every country seemed to have a group of youth praying and shouting, “Benedicto, we love you!”  Through the difficult trials, we do not back down.

The night ended with a spectacular performance of Flamenco dancing.  Every step, every facial expression is done with intention.  The little things which these talented dancers do make the show so full of passion.  It is in some way a metaphor for our own lives—we must do what we do with a true passion for the glory of God.

I would like to end with a brief prayer Lila Rose said in her early teens and shared with us.  “Lord, use me. Use me to work for Your glory and to fulfill Your plans for me.”

Good (3am) night!

Eliz.

Written by: Elizabeth Lent, Junior at University of Notre Dame and parishioner at Little Flower in Bethesda

Photos by: Elizabeth Lent

I recently made a 2,200 mile trek across the country.  AKA – a relocation road trip.  A friend of mine accepted a position out west and I accompanied her for the journey.  In four short days, with adequate amounts of coffee, Diet Coke and a fully charged iPod, we drove a 16’ Budget rental truck from the DC metro area to Cody, Wyoming.  As someone who loves the outdoors, I expected to enjoy the scenic drive – everything from the rolling hills, to the river valleys, to the mountain landscapes.  But to be honest, I was surprised by the beauty.

Maybe that’s what happens on a road trip.  All you have is time and the company of a good friend. No distractions.  No agenda.  Just pure presence.  I found myself in awe of everything natural, God’s majestic love so carefully and lovingly created for us!   I remember looking out the window and thinking, “I’ve never seen that shade of green before.”  The sky looked endless and mountains stretched in every which direction.  And  somehow the beauty seemed even more radiant because I was delighting in it with a friend.   

What’s even more amazing is that God is still using that beauty to surprise me today.  Sure it’s been a few weeks since that trip and I’ve hopped back into city life.  But He taught me something on the road that I hope will stay with me for awhile.  The truth is, God gifts us with surprises everyday, we only have to open our eyes to see them.  Not only does he surprise us, but He delights in doing so.  Maybe it’s in a beautiful sunset run, maybe it’s in generosity of a friend, or maybe it’s the hope for better things to come.  Whatever it might be, one thing is for certain – it’s God surprise for you.  Accept it, cherish it and celebrate it!