Time for reflection

It promises to be another scorching day in Madrid. Temperatures will soar to 39C today, so we have to slow down our pace. As we no longer have any hats or clogs to give away, we decide to use the English brochures of the Master Christianity and Society to promote Tilburg University.

Our aim is to place the brochures, and perhaps a few posters, in the churches of Madrid city centre, starting with the cathedral. The cathedral of Almudena is located next to the royal palace, a 20 minute walk from our hotel. We are not the only ones with the idea to go into that direction. The area is full of pilgrims, which looks promising. However, the cathedral is closed for a day and a half in preparation for a Mass with the Pope.

So we move on towards the other churches in the centre. At this time in the morning most of them are packed to the roof with pilgrims following the final catechesis session of the week. In a few places we manage to get inside and leave a handful of brochures.

As it is so difficult to get inside the churches, we decide to first go for lunch. Today it’s a tapas meal at a taverna called Madrid. How appropriate and unoriginal ;)

Having filled our stomachs with the necessary food to keep going, we decide to go to Parque del Retiro, a huge green lung near the city centre. When we arrive there, it’s the middle of the day and unbelievably hot. So first things first: an ice cream!

There really is no other option but to stay in the shade. Many groups have decided to do the same and are having their lunch in the park under the many trees. Some people take a siesta, while others take time to share stories and experiences.

In the middle of the park, we see a huge line of confessionals. Priests are available for confession in many languages and most of the booths are filled. Volunteers were handing out leaflets explaining what confession means and how you can prepare for it.

At the end of the line of confessionals, we pass a special section where the World Youth Day icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary is kept. Normally, the World Youth Day Cross – which travels throughout the world in preparation for WYD – would have been there are well. But as it part of the Way of the Cross that will be held later this afternoon, it is not there.

Another very interesting place to visit in the park is the tent of the sisters of Mercy – the congregation of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. They have Eucharistic adoration where many young pilgrims take time for quiet reflection and prayer.

Our final destination this afternoon is the Vocational Expo. Here many religious organizations provide information for the benefit of the pilgrims. Some had thought of some nice gimmicks to get people’s attention!

Around six o’clock we decide to go back to the hotel and rest our weary feet. As the metro is not really an option with all the pilgrims heading towards the Way of the Cross, we walk instead. It only takes us an hour, including a walk across Puerta del Sol which seems calm again after yesterday’s riots.

Back at the hotel, we follow the Way of the Cross on television. It shows the various stations of the last hours of the life of Jesus, starting with the last supper and finishing with the crucifixion of Christ and his body being laid in the tomb.

It is interesting to see how the stations are represented by statues from the different churches in Madrid. Groups of pilgrims from countries where freedom of religion is not taken for granted, such as Palestine, Iraq, Burundi, Rwanda and Albania, or pilgrims who face many challenges in life, carry the World Youth Day Cross from station to station.

Seeing the multitude of people gathered again at Cibeles Square, you may wonder what motivates more than one million young people to participate in this event. Yesterday at the arrival on Barajas Airport, Pope Benedict said the following, which may give you an idea:

Why has this multitude of young people come to Madrid? (…) Many of them have heard the voice of God, perhaps only as a little whisper, which has led them to search for him more diligently and to share with others the experience of the force which he has in their lives. The discovery of the living God inspired young people and opens their eyes to the challenges of the world in which they live (…) They know that, without God, it would be hard to confront these challenges and to be truly happy, and thus pouring out their enthusiasm in the attainment of an authentic life. But, with God beside them, they will possess light to walk by and reasons to hope, unrestrained before their highest ideals, which will motivate their generous commitment to build a society where human dignity and true brotherhood are respected.

We couldn’t agree more.

Diahann and Annemarie