On Saturday at 7:30am, the St. Ambrose and Christ the Good Shepherd Team left to walk on our pilgrimage to Cuatro Vientros Airfield to claim our spot at the overnight vigil with Pope Benedict the XVI. We took the Renfe Train system to Principe Pio, where we began the 8 kilometer Green Route walk through parks and alongside rivers-- carrying everything we needed for the overnight journey on our backs! We started with only 21 of us, and as we continued along the way, we joined with hundreds and hundreds of more people on their way!
We finally arrived to Cuatro Vientros in the early afternoon and claimed our territory! We set out our emergency blankets, sleeping bags, and tarps in section C7 -- closer to the stage and the Pope than we originally thought!
After baking in the hot sun and 115 degree heat for six hours, the Pope finally arrived at the vigil site at 9. We celebrated Eucharistic Adoration at 10 with the Holy Father. Right before the Adoration, a torrential downpour with thunder and lightning hit the vigil site. But, we all prayed with the Pope for the storm to stop and it stopped during the Adoration. It rained a little afterwards, but went away soon after. Most of us fell asleep right after the Adoration while others walked around the site, and talked and traded with other pilgrims from around the world. At 7 oclock, we were all awaken from the big booming voice on the speakers and had breakfast while we anxiously awaited the Mass with the Pope.
Finally at 9:30, we had a beautiful Mass with the Pope with all 2 million pilgrims listening to the huge and beautiful sounding orchestra, and listening to the Pope’s prayers and homily. We all loved how we somewhat knew what was happening in the Mass even though it was in Spanish. All of us loved the Mass even though we were on dirt and prickly grass and pushed and shoved by the pilgrims surrounding us. This experience has changed our lives forever with praying and being with the Holy Father. And I am sure this vigil mass has made us all stronger, better, and kinder people to everyone.
Afterwards, due to Alice’s determination, we went to a Real Madrid futbol game for 5 euros! We got a discount because it was a farewell and a thank you to all the millions of pilgrims. It was Spain VS. The Rest of the World which were players from all over the world. And in the end the Rest of the World won 2-1. It sprinkled for awhile in the beginning of the match, but it was way worth it!
We got back late from the game, and were trying to find a restraunt to fill our hungry stomachs. And after searching for over an hour we found no open restaurants that late. So we decided to go back to the dorms and eat all our extra food and snacks as a potluck dinner. We only had one problem though…we missed the last train to the dorms! We ended up taking taxis back and arrived there safely. We finally finished our potluck at 2:30ish and went to bed. The good news was that we got to actually sleep in the next morning because our bus doesn’t leave till 1:00 to Toledo. WOOOO!!!! More than 5 hours of sleep!
Sincerely,
Holly and Matt
Pilgrims cheering "Benedito" as the Pope arrives for Mass
(see the top of the PopeMobile driving by!)
CGS and St. Ambrose Pilgrims after spending
24 hours at Cuatro Vientros Airfield
(we made some great new friends!)
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