yaab

After have arrived back at the hotel safe and sound, we made the most of some spare time to have loooooooooong showers. Bliss!!!!!!!! Yesterday evening we had our final big group gathering at a lovely celebration meal at our hotel. It was very special and a really good occasion for us all to be together and reflect on the journey we’d been on together. Ray reminded us that, when we get home, we need to share our experiences and love for God, and not keep things to ourselves.

After our meal we were wonderfully entertained by many of the pilgrims with singing and comedy. What a talented group of people. We only stopped when hotel security came and told us we had outstayed our time and needed to vacate the room we’d had our dinner in. What a shame!

Helen and Jins, intrepid WYD reporters, made the most of the crowds and spoke to many pilgrims, asking what they think makes WYD so special.

From Chicago, a young American described his time in Madrid as ‘awesome’, ‘cool’ but ‘hot’ as well. He said, ‘It’s amazing to have people from 6 out of the 7 continents and to meet such a variety of people who are all here because of a love for the Lord’.

A group of young people from Hong Kong said: ‘It is amazing to see so much youth who share joy, experience and faith and are united’.

Those from the Philipines described the pilgrimage as a ‘mission’ and a ‘great experience’.

And although it had been hectic and chaotic for the young people from South Africa (they’d lost some of their group), it had been an ‘experience’ for them.

This is how close we got!!

Here are some photos from the Via Crucis……….

Some thoughts form our A&B pilgrims…

Margaret Hunt (Crawley) – ‘World Youth Day is a brilliant experience that I am very lucky to be able to share with so many great people, not only from my own diocese but from the whole world.’

Katy Mattman (Brighton) – ‘It’s absolutely amazing. I just chased the Pope half way down the street and got caught in a Spanish Stampede. It was like a scene from the Lion King, but it was all worthwhile because I got to see the Pope for real. My team weren’t very happy that I ran away from them but they waited for me which was nice of them.’

Michael Brennan (Guildford) – ‘World Youth Day has been great fun. Highlights have been meeting people around the world, experiencing the culture of Spain and finally seeing the Pope.’

Tom Silverson (Littlehampton) – ‘Amazing. I got within ten metres of the Pope in his Popemobile! The group as a whole has really bonded. Everyone has come together as one.’

Simon Fitzgerald (Woking) – ‘Manic, chaos, but enjoyable with an obvious presence of Christ.’

Phil L’Estrange (Burgess Hill) – ‘Really uplifting experience. Nice to see people from around the world. To get to know other people from different countries is great.’

Emilia Titherly (Horsham) – ‘I like the group atmosphere. There is a huge number of people from all over the world. I like the fact that we have all become one. I also like the free food. That’s always good!! ‘

(we’ll tell her later that food costs were built into the price she paid!)

Fr. Peter Andrews (Horsham, soon to be Woking!) – ‘I have waited nearly 63 years for this experience and it hasn’t disappointed me one jot. I had no idea what to expect but even in my ignorance I cold not have anticipated the excitement, joy, companionship, prayerful worship and great fun that has been my joy to be part of!’

Jonathan Batt (Ascot) – ‘It has given me a view of the wider Church. Too often we see the Church as just our individual parishes, but here we can see the universal Church in action which is pretty amazing!!’

Lawrie Swithenbank (Dorking) – ‘It’s an awesome time. Great fun with some friends from all over the world – Having random chats with them all!’

Jenna Williams  (Guildford) – ‘I have absolutely adored catechesis. It has been enlightening. The whole thing is an overwhelming feeling of pure faith.’

Clare Monaghan (Guildford) – ‘It’s been amazing meeting people from different countries and to have the chance to celebrate your faith together without feeling self-conscious. Staying with the nuns in Salamanca was a truly humbling experience and one I will never forget.’