Archdiocese of Liverpool World Youth Day 2011 Pilgrimage "Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith" (Col. 2:7).

Archdiocese of Liverpool World Youth Day Video

World Youth Day diary

World Youth Day Diary
9th – 22nd August 2011

Saturday 13th August 2011
Today was a chance for all international pilgrims staying in Ciudad Real to celebrate mass together in the Cathedral. After mass, we were split into groups for a tour of the city’s museums and art galleries.
Lunch was held in San José school, where each group gave presentations about the work of their diocese involving the youth, which was rounded off by a dance group performing typical Spanish dancing.
The groups then went to see another two parishes, and saw all the work they do throughout the year.
The evening came to a close with a vigil of prayer, which ended in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Sunday 14th August 2011.
This morning was a chance for each of us to spend some quality time with our families.
In the afternoon, all pilgrims staying in Ciudad Real departed for Campo de Criptana, where 10.000 pilgrims gathered for mass and a small youth festival.

Monday 15th August 2011.
Today was a sad day as we said goodbye to the families that had looked after us all so well. But with the promise of seeing some of our new friends and families again in Madrid (or in the spring back in the UK!), we were excited to get back to the Capital for the days ahead, and to meet the Crosby Catholic Youth Group who joined us for the second week.

Tuesday 16th August 2011.
Before the events in Madrid officially opened, the group spent the morning in Retiro Park where a Vocations fair was being held. Here you could also find the Official Merchandise shop, and an opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. We were also joined by some familiar faces from our home Archdiocese who were in Madrid on their own pilgrimages.
Cibeles Square was the next place to visit as World Youth Day officially began with the welcome mass presided by the Archbishop of Madrid.

Wednesday 17th August 2011.
Today was the first day of Catechesis which took place at Madrid arena, with pilgrims from all over America, Ireland, Scotland and the UK. We were all led in praise and worship by Jesse Manibusan which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. After a talk by the Archbishop John Miller of Vancouver, and a question and answer session, mass took place which was a great celebration.
In the evening, the group split up to attend various events throughout the city – a Taize prayer session, an art display showing various paintings of Christ through the centuries, and a youth concert taking place at Madrid arena.

Thursday 18th August 2011.
Catechesis took place today in the Love and Life centre, where we listened to an insightful talk from Jason and Chrystalina Evert – a married couple who travel around America sharing their life story with teenagers to promote chastity and modesty. We also heard from Archbishop Chaput, the Archbishop of Denver.
This evening, thousands of pilgrims lined the streets of Madrid, waiting in anticipation to welcome the Holy Father to the city.

Friday 19th August 2011.
Today was the last day of Catechesis for which we travelled across Madrid to meet with Jesse Manibusan again, for another inspiring praise and worship session, after which Cardinal George, the Archbishop of Chicago, gave a presentation and answered a handful of questions from our own pilgrims.
The evening ended with a group reconciliation service at the side of a lake overlooking the Royal Palace. Afterwards, we had social time having a sing song and enjoying spending time with one another.

Saturday 20th August 2011.
Today was the day we had been waiting for as we prepared ourselves for the 11 km journey from our hotel to Cuatro Vientos. After walking, a bus ride, and a few stops on the metro, we finally arrived at the airfield and set up camp at the end of the runway.
Pope Benedict arrived to a warm welcome from the thousands of pilgrims waiting for him to begin the evening vigil. The vigil was disturbed slightly by bad weather, but it didn’t dampen our spirits as we continued to celebrate into the late evening, the Pope having gone to a drier bed for the night.

Sunday 21st August 2011.
Pope Benedict arrived back at Cuatro Vientos to a gathering of 1.5 million Catholics to celebrate mass, and to take the chance to speak to the young people. He encouraged them to share their faith with others as the world needs their witness of faith as “it surely needs God.”
The Holy Father also made the all important announcement of where the next World Youth Day will take place in 2013… Rio de Janeiro!
That evening, the group headed back to Museo de Jamón for our last meal together.

Monday 22nd August 2011.
As part of our last day in Madrid, we celebrated a final mass together to mark the end of our amazing pilgrimage. This was followed by some last minute shopping and packing, then in no time at all, we were on the way back to the airport.
Once landed and through baggage reclaim safe and sound, we gathered together for a short prayer and chorus of the pilgrimage favourite “Twist and Shout”.
World Youth Day 2011 was a fantastic experience for everyone involved, and hopefully the experience will continue over the year with various chances to meet up with one another.