Souvenirs of WYD

By Sara Angle One in a series MADRID — While memories and new friends from across the world will remain as important reminders of pilgrims’ experiences in Madrid, tangible souvenirs were also flying off the shelves at the city’s retailers. Official merchandise outposts were constantly crowded with pilgrims picking up things like T-Shirts, key chains, [...]

Madrid 11 comes to a close, but Rio 13 on the horizon

By Sara Angle One in a series MADRID — I left the vigil early last night and planned on going to a stadium in west Madrid this morning to watch the closing Mass on their giant screen with many other pilgrims that could not get to Cuatro Vientos, or had left the vigil. Unfortunately, they [...]

Cuatro Vientos: a sea of devout Catholics

By Sara Angle One in a series MADRID —Pilgrims must truly be “Rooted and Built Up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith,” to have made it this far in WYD. I’m here at Cuatro Vientos and the scene is one of mixed emotions. Some are making the best of the crowded and sweltering environment, [...]

Hot at the vigil

By Emily Anderson One in a series MADRID — Today is the day of the overnight vigil. It is hot, but the spirits are high! There’s even a fire truck spraying people. Pray for us as we roast out here! Emily “Em” Anderson, 28, is the director of youth ministry at St. James Catholic Church [...]

One word to describe day in Madrid: chaotic

By Emma Luigard One in a series MADRID — If I had to describe today in one word of would be chaotic. After attending catechesis this morning we started to head over to the Plaza de Cibeles for the Stations of the Cross, and that’s when the day got crazy. When the train we were [...]

Buen Retiro park: an oasis at World Youth Day

By Sara Angle One in a series MADRID — I wish I had discovered Buen Retiro park earlier! With so much going on, it’s impossible to see and do everything at WYD, and in Madrid itself. The week is so crazy though, with all the pilgrims and tons of events, that it can be overwhelming [...]

Sweet sounds of sisters singing

SAN LORENZO DE EL ESCORIAL, Spain  – Some of the world’s best musicians and singers have performed for the music-loving Pope Benedict XVI, but even he heard something special this morning in the courtyard of the Basilica of St. Lawrence. At the end of his meeting with some 1,600 young religious women — most under [...]

Music I’m listening to at WYD

By Sara Angle One in a series MADRID — Music is such a big part in WYD, with concerts of all types being held throughout the city as part of the cultural program, liturgical music filling the streets and singing and chanting heard constantly from the pilgrim groups. Music is playing a personal role in [...]

A lesson from Pope Benedict, dinner with the U.S. bishops

By Sara Angle One in a series MADRID — Most of my day was spent waiting hours for the arrival of the pope. I was told that some pilgrims arrived at Plaza de Cibeles for the pope’s entrance over 8 hours before he was expected! If there is one thing I have learned at WYD [...]

Inspiration in Madrid — Tony Melendez and Pope Benedict

By Emma Luigard One in a series MADRID — Today will always stand in my mind as one of the greatest days of World Youth Day. Not only did I meet people from all over, but I got to see the pope and an inspiring performance. Tony Melendez. He’s a singer and guitarist, sounds pretty [...]