Thoughts and reflections continued...

As we are now waiting in Madrid airport for our flight to Toronto, we´ve had the chance to post more thoughts and reflections.  You will find the complete list a little further down the page.  See you soon!

WE ARE DELAYED

WE ARE IN MARID AIRPORT WHERE WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR FLIGHT WILL LEAVE MADRID 5 HOURS LATE. YOU CAN CHECK OUR STATUS AT AIRCANADA.COM WE WILL PHONE OR POST IN THIS BLOG OR EMAIL FROM TORONTO. NOT SURE IF WE WILL GET HOME TONIGHT OR TOMORROW.

ANOTHER GREAT DAY OF TOURING

After a wonderful Mass in Fr. Terry´s room at 10 p.m. last night, we all got to bed early and this morning embarked on a full-day tour.  We went to Segovia and Avila.  Segovia contains a huge stretch of beautifully preserved aqueduct, which was built by the Romans 2000 years ago!  It also contains the castle that inspired the Walt Disney castle. Built by Arabs for Christians, the meeting place between royalty and Christopher Columbus, and with displays of horse and knight armor, the castle was amazing. The town was charming..definitely a "must return" to place. 

After lunch in Segovia, we went to Avila.  This is the home of St. Theresa of Avila.  Avila is a walled city with a beautiful 14th century intact wall.  It was also charming.  We visited the chapel where St. Theresa is said to have had her visions.  There is a beautiful statue of her there. 

We returned just in time for our 7:30 last supper in the ham museum, where we clapped loudly in appreciation of the staff who served us all week. 

Following dinner we had an hour to shop, then another 10 p.m. Mass in Fr. Terry´s room.  It was beautiful!  Another early curfew as we rest up for our last free day in Madrid. 

The Pilgrims   

PILGRIM THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS

The meaning of "united in one Baptism" has been renewed and strengthened by this World Youth Day.  As I ran into, met, conversed with, waved to pilgrims from throughout the world, I felt connected.  (Debbie)

The entire trip was just incredible. I really loved the entire time we were in Days in the Diocese. The people were so hospitable and loved joining us. Some of the kitchen cooks came with us to Madrid for a soccer game. I also loved having Mass every day knowing that Christ was physically in me. AMAZING!! (Ryan)

My favorite moment from this whole trip was when we were in Torrecillas. We were attending Mass and all of the women in the front of the church began to sing. Their voices echoed through the whole church and I truly felt the presence of the Lord at that moment. (Erika)

WYD has been an experience filled with excitement and learning. There have been many things which have struck me this WYD, but the thing I found most amazing was listening to 2 million people become silent during Adoration at the overnight vigil. It´s absolutely crazy to see a crowd of 2 million people who love Christ so much fall silent and praise Him. (Tessa)

This whole experience is like nothing I´ve seen before! Walking in the streets and every where you look people are cheering and dancing in dozens of languages, but for the same God. INCREDIBLE! (Justin)

When at the WYD Mass, Communion was not available because of the storm the evening before. But priests during Communion jumped fences to give some pilgrims Communion. I was one of them. This really opened my eyes to others´dedication to Christ. (Thomas)

My most inspirational moment was in Torrecillas and Father Terry did Mass on the day of the Assumption. I was amazed to see both the Spanish and English cultures come together under one religion. We had both languages of reading and music; it made such an impact on my trip to see the two blend together. (Rebecca)

The popular piety and devotion of the Spanish people has been especially inspiring and at times even intriguing. One of the most interesting displays of popular devotion came in the form of the statue of Our Lady, patroness of the small town of Torrecillas de le Tiesa, (our host town for Days in the Diocese). It is the first (and only!) statue that I have seen of Our Lady with three hands! Two hands clutch a bundle of flowers, and the third remains free. The story behind the extra hand goes something like this...
Many years ago, the village had been suffering from drought for over a century. Turning to God for relief, the villagers took the statue of Our Lady from the church and went in procession around the whole village, praying as they went. Their prayers were heard and the drought ended, as the village was blanketed in almost 3 feet of snow. News of the miracle spread and before long other villages requested to use the statue for similar processions. Reluctantly to lend the statue out, the villagers decided instead to take one of the statue´s hands and to allow the neighbouring villages to have procession with it. (This gives a whole new depth of meaning to ¨lending a hand¨). A third hand was made for the statue, so that while one was being borrowed the statue would still have two. Today the hand is no longer borrowed by other towns. However, when a villager becomes too ill or infirm to make it to church, the hand is brought to that person´s home as a sign of the support and spiritual communion they share with the church - a memorable and powerful illustration of the ¨communion of saints.¨ (Father Terry)

We have been touched by the history of Spain. Such beautiful cathedrals and art work! The walls around Avila´s old city were breathtaking. We seem to have adapted to the heat. The average day has been 34 degrees Celsius. Deacon Frank loved the Roman aquaduct made without mortar. Daily Mass in many venues has been a real blessing. (Deacon Frank and Michelle)

At one of our catechesis sessions, within the first few days we were in Madrid, the speaker, a Philippino bishop, shared with us a short story. One day he was in a church, and saw an older woman following and meditating on the Stations of the Cross. When she reached the end of the stations, he noticed the woman retracing her steps back through the Way of the Cross. He was rather puzzled by this, and a while later he approached the woman and asked why she had done so. Her reply was: ¨I was accompanying the Blessed Mother back to her home.¨ Jesus gave us His mother before He died, and the woman was walking home with Our Lady. This little story told to us by the bishop, calls to mind Our Lady´s presence during our pilgrimage. Within the first day or two we were told of Spain´s special devotion to Mary. And we soon found that she was one of our guides on our pilgrimage. There were constant reminders of her presence as we visited towns, churches, and communities around Madrid. Our Blessed Mother was with us all of the way. (Mary)

My inspirational moment on this trip was how Torrecillas took us in and how the ladies treated us like family. (Alyson)

For me the most memorable moment would be the fellowship we all experienced on this trip. (Jonathan)

Throughout this journey I feel that my personal relationship with God has definitely grown. On this trip, God has taught me to be patient and calm down. He has my life all planned out. (Moriah)

What God has taught me in this trip is to completely rely on Him in circumstances that I could not control. God also taught me that He can handle my fears and that I could have peace in exchange. I also learned that daily devotions are paramount for the dedicated Christian life. I want to thank Father Terry for being a wonderful leader - not only geographically leading us, but also spiritually leading us day by day. (Judy)

¨For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me.¨ Matthew 25:35.   Arriving at the airfield for final Mass, I was a stranger, with no place to rest, and I felt extremely hot and tired. At that moment of need, God´s love came to me through several Spanish pilgrims who shared their space and food with me, as they smiled and made me feel welcome. I knew then that I was cared for and no longer a stranger. Thanks be to God for His constant love. (Scott)

¨Did you not know that I would be in my Father´s house?¨   For me, the ethereal magnificence of the Spanish cathedrals called to mind these words of the Child Christ to His parents, spoken when He was found in the temple after having been missing for three days. In relation to this thought, I found the beauty of the medieval art work exceptionally moving, and felt myself drawn to a heightened awareness of God´s infinite presence. (Jordan)

It was amazing to see so many youth on fire for Christ.  My Highlight was the final catechesis with a bishop from Australia.  His teachings were just what I needed to hear, and the questions that were asked were the same types of difficult questions that had been troubling me about the faith for a while.  He answered them succinctly and with wisdom and conviction.  I am now truly ¨Rooted and built up in Christ,Firm in the faith.¨ (Joshua)

Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to Dyane Lagadouro, our wounderful Courpus Christi youth minister who has helped and supported us pilgrims. Dyane we hope you have a wounderful birthday!

Holy Toledo!

We just spent a nice day touring around in beautiful Toledo, a city where once three cultues lived in harmony (Jews Christians and Moors).  The Cathedral was absolutely amazing and houses El Greco´s most famous paintings.  The architecture and design was amazing.   We stopped at a factory where they make the famous Damasce (SP?) jewellery.  We toured  a very old synagogue.  We toured with a group from Quebec so our tour guide had to explain everything in French and English.  Our tour guide told us that she and other tour guides were talking and were amazed at how wonderful the pilgrims were for Madrid and area.

Madrid feels very different today.  Most pilgrims have gone home.  The subways are dead compared to how they were a few days ago, when they were filled with singing, happy, dancing pilgrims.  The streets are much easier to manouvre through, but they also lost their happy energy.  

We are having 10 p.m. Mass tonight here in the hotel.

The latest...

In a few minutes the Thunder Bay pilgrims are on the road again - this time to make a day-trip the town of Toledo!

A quick word of thanks to all the family and friends back home who have been supporting us in prayer as we continue our pilgrimage.  We have definitely felt the power of prayer at work. 

The pilgrims are in good spirits this morning after a short but welcome rest last night. 

Throughout the whole pilgrimage, I´ve been personally inspired by the enthusiasm, prayerfulness, team-spirit and dedication of our group.  Though our journey continues we look forward to our return home and to seeing all of you before long!

In Christ,
Fr. Terry

WE MADE IT!

Well everyone mission accomplished! We made it to the over night vigil with the Pope and back again all in one piece!
The walk to the field took us about 2 hours from our hotel, and it was very hot.  When we arrived we realized that we would be spending the next night in a very dusty field in extremely close quarters with pilgrims from all over the world. Our section was right at the front but when we got there it was full. They really crammed us in.  The vigil service was beautiful.  Imagine 2 million people in silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  Just before that a huge wind / rain / thunder/lightning storm rolled in.   It rained hard, but it was refreshing.  It interrupted the service a bit, but we all prayed for it to stop and it did.  The sleeping experience was different for all of us: some didn´t sleep at all and some slept like a log.  Mass in the morning was wonderful.  The Pope drove through the crowd first right along the barrier of our section.  (Oh speaking of the Pope driving by, he drove by our hotel in the Pope Mobile yesterday morning...we were gathering to go to Mass with the Toronto Bishop and a bunch of Canadians as a send-off for the long pilgrimmage.)  Following Mass, the majority of our group walked back again, while two of us waited for the crowds to clear before heading back. We all arrived back at the same time. 

Tonight we went to a soccer game between retired Spanish players and the other team made up of retired players from throughout the world. 

The city of Madrid is already different. Most of the pilgrims have left. We are doing two days of touring, then a free day, then we head home.

The pilgrims.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Dear Daniella!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM SPAIN!! WE MISS YOU SO DARN MUCH!!!

With Love:
Your pilgrim friends

GOING TO BE OUT OF TOUCH FOR TWO DAYS

Another wonderful day of Cathechesis/Mass has come to an end.  This evening we went to a big Jumbotron where we prayed the Stations of the Cross with other pilgrims and the Pope.  Each station was a wonderful work of art from various churches and museums around Madrid.  Check out the links in other posts to see it for yourself.  It was beautiful.  So universal!
A (early) curfew was set for 11 p.m. tonight as we must walk to the site of the Vigil and WYD Mass.  First we will have Mass with Bishop Gratton of Toronto Diocese and the Toronto pilgrims, then set out for the site of the two big events to which more than 1,000,000 pilgrims are expected.  It could be a long hot day tomorrow as we wait out on a hot field for the Pope to arrive and the Vigil to begin.  We think he will initiate youth into the faith.  The WYD Mass will be in the a.m.   We will be at the front...you might see us...look for our Thunder Bay flag.  There are four sections right in front of the priests/bishops/deacons present, then us.  There is a 60% chance of rain and we´d take rain over the heat we have been experiencing. It was 104 degrees F today.  After Mass we will walk back to our hotel, rest, then clean up and head to a professional soccer game!
Goodnight.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICOLE LEPINE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICOLE!!! have a great day sister. everyone wishes you feliz cumpleaños from sunny españa!!
Thomas

Birthday Shoutouts!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

Spain has been great and I'm sorry I couldn't be there when you turned the big 5-0! Thanks for supporting me and this trip by coming to all of those crazy fundraisers and meetings! You're now officially half way to 100! Have a good one! Miss you!

Love Tessa :)

In case you were Wondering (CBC News)

In case you have seen or heard any news that CBC was reporting about protests against WYD, we have have not seen any of that.  In fact everywhere you go the city is full of happy, singing, dancing pilgrims...sharing photos and pins.  We truly ARE united in one baptism!  They feel like cousins!

Hola Pope!

Today Pope Benidict XVI arrived in Spain!! We had a wounderful opening ceremony where most of us were just 25 meters away for the Pope-mobile. We walked down to the plaza at 3 and the Pope arrived at 7:30. The wait for the Pope went quickly and the shade made us more comfortable then most pilgrims.

 Our day in Mardid was full of adventures including pickpocketing gypsies, flashmobs and people falling threw bus-stop roofes. We are all having a good time trading stuff and showing off our Canadian swag.

Seven days left in the beautiful ciry of Madrid! But these seven days will be filled with adventure and excitement!

CONTACT EMAILS AND OTHER GOOD STUFF

I am up to my usual late-night emailing. I check at least every other night.  Here are two email addresses you can contact me at if you have any questions/concerns or if you want me to pass on a message to your children:
debdebruyne@hotmail.com
debdebruyne@tbaytel.net

Web TV:  http://tvmadrid11.com/
YOUTUBE:  http//www.youtube.com/madrid11

FIRST CATECHESIS SESSION

Today we had our first Catechesis session.  It was on Faith and was presented by the Archbishop of Chicago who is a Cardinal. It was excellente!  That was followed by Mass. It was held in a church close to our hotel and was attended by many English speaking pilgrims from all over the world.  We got there late and sat on the floor so tomorrow we plan to leave earlier.  We had the opportunity to venerate the relics of St. Therese of Lisieux following the Mass.  We were on our own for lunch and then free time all afternoon.  Two ladies from the village who are in town to see the Pope, stopped by the hotel and 4 pilgrims went with them for a tour of the Royal Palace, which was free today for pilgrims. It was excellent.  Two pilgrims visited the Prado museum and the rest shopped and hung out.  Not sure if any siesta´´d...perhaps we are getting used to the heat.  Tonight we had dinner at 7:30 p.m. then off to adoration at the seminary. 

Canadian Gathering

This morning we gathered with more than 5000 Canadians for an opening prayer service. Salt and Light Television was there so you can view it at http://www.saltandlighttv.org/  Look for Canadian Gathering video.  You can also follow some of the WYD events live at that website.  Getting to the event included a lesson on how to get around  on the subway.  Immediately following the opening prayer, another subway ride to the Vocations Fair...lots of good stuff!  It was in Retiro Park, a very famous park that was once only used exclusively for royalty. Following that we took another subway ride back to the hotel, this time with a change in lines.  Our siesta was used to rest, get out of the heat, and dash out to buy more water and supplies for the next few days. Some shopped. We had supper at a food court with some familiar N. American restaurants..yes the Golden arches were there (!) and then off we walked to the Opening Mass.  (You should also be able to see that on Salt and Light TV.)  We were very far back from the actual stage, but had a jumbotron right in front of us. We had to sit on a closed off road, and even though it was shady, it felt like out bottoms were getting cooked due to the hot weather!  The Mass was beautiful. We arrrived back to the hotel around 10:30 p.m. (a long day) and in some thick crowds (a taste of what we will be experiencing once the Pope arrives).  Fr. Terry allowed the pilgrms to go out for a bit to enjoy some of the nightlife, although some of us were too tired and went to bed.
Tomorrow is our first Catechesis session.  Luckily we are very close to the church where that will take place so we don´t have quite as early a morning.  (Today we started out at 8 a.m.)

Goodnight! 

The Pilgrims

We´ve arrived in Madrid!!

We appologize for the lack of blog posts.  There was no working internet connection in the very small town where we spent Days in the Diocese.  (1100 people in the village...like Murillo!...very rural)  We slept on teh floor in a sports facility...thank God it had showers.  It has been very hot. The small town opened their arms and hearts and we were truly loved, especially at the nightly fiesta in the town square, and by our adopted Mothers who served us daily meals.  It was quite the experience.  I survived staying put with Fatima less than 7 hours away! 

Fr. Terry celebrated Mass on today´s Assumption of the BVM - a National holiday in most of Europe.  He celebrated for us and the community.   We spent today´s siesta sleeping during the 3 hour bus ride to Madrid. We have checked into hotel, and just had supper. There are many pilgrims very visibly in town.  We expect more than 1,000,000 at the Mass. 

Tonight we are taking it easy in the hotel. Tomorrow a.m. there is a gathering for Canadians and few British who are in our hotel.  Tomorrow evening is the opening Mass. 

We are still working on posting photos..might have to find an Internet cafe...or something!

Debbie DeBruyne 

A Whale of a Journey!

After two failed attempts to take off from the Thunder Bay Airport, we took off two hours late, but still made our Toronto connection to Madrid.  Arriving in Madrid in good time we immediately hopped on the coach for our host diocese of Plasencia.  Our hosts showed us to our accomodations and we staked out territory for ourselves on the gym floor of the community centre. Here we will call ´home´for the next few days...

The first evening of our stay in Tericellis de la Tessa, a cloud shielded us from the scorching sun for the afternoon, remaining stationary until sunset.  We thought of it as a small miracle.  As the sun set, the cloud took on the unmistakeable form of a whale!  When we have a chance, we´ll upload the picture for you!
Access to  internet is quite limited here....
Until next time!

The pilgrims...

The first leg!

We've made it through the airport security! Praise the Lord!! Our jouney begins now! Everyone is smiling... So far! Stay tuned for more!

Days in the Diocese Details

*This info was received by Fr. Terry in an email from Victor Jiménez (a member of Youth Ministry Diocese of Plasencia)*

Dear Terence Sawchuk:

 - How are you?

-Your group is received in Parish. The group is not received in families. These are going to be received in a sports installation. There are two services, each one with showers and baths. They must bring sleeping bag and small mat.

- We can use the swimming pools to bath, You bring swimsuits and towels,.

-The ladies of the parish realized the food, You are going to eat in the dining room of the college.

-You arrive on August 10 to Madrid, on 11:30 am. I imagine that while they go out of Madrid it is 13:00 am, They were coming to Torrecillas de la Tiesa on 16:00h pm.  The place of meeting is:

• Plaza de España s/n.
• Código Postal: 10252.
• Torrecillas de la Tiesa.  (Cáceres) Extremadura.

In English:

• Plaza of Spain.
• CP: 10252.
• Torrecillas de la Tiesa, (Cáceres) Extremadura.
• It has not lost because it is a small town.

This day, they will be got by the people of the parish. 

• Day 11

You they were visiting the twon:

• The church
• Squares
• Town hall
• House of culture
• Home of the pensioner
• School.
• Sports facilities and swimming pools
• Associations of the town.

In the evening, we will give a testimony of our parish. You also can give a testimony of parish. 

• Day 12

Do you want to go of excursion? We can go to Caceres or to Merida.

Caceres: It is a medieval city.

Merida: It´s a Roman city.

You can see: www.turismoextremadura.com

• Day 13

This day we will be in the town. We will rest in the morning. We can see some movie, or, you indicate an activity to me to realize.

For the evening, we will celebrate a mass with the whole people.

• Day 14

 This day, we are going to Trujillo, There we will meet other groups (Corea y Honduras). Besides other Christian communities of the zone of Trujillo.

In the morning, We will visit the city.

In the evening, We will realize a conviviality of cultural exchange. If you they want, they can bring a power point, explaining your cultural one, or sing or dance, songs and dances of there

• Day 15

This day, we are going to go to Navalmoral de la Mata, and there we will be with all the received (Canada, Mexico, Australia, EE.UU. Samoa, Corea, Honduras, France, Holland).

And from there we will go to Madrid.

  

I that there comes a girl who speaks Spanish. I have searched, a translator of Englishman in order that this one with us, Since, I speak a bit the English.

I hope, that I you clarify the doubts, If, your  have not understood this letter, you make me it know, and I turn you to writing.

 A greeting

 We pray for you and for the JMJ.

Víctor Jiménez

A Hint of Catechesis for WYD

THIS WAS RECENTLY POSTED AT ZENIT NEWS FROM THE VATICAN

Archbishop Chaput Among 8 US Prelates Chosen as WYD CatechistsNation Sending Some 29,000 to Madrid

WASHINGTON, D.C., JULY 27, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The Pontifical Council for the Laity is asking the new archbishop of Philadelphia and the archbishop of New York to be among eight U.S. prelates who will teach catechesis at World Youth Day.

The eight bishops from the United States are part of a list of 250 bishop-catechists chosen by the Vatican to give catechesis in a variety of languages during the Aug. 17-19 sessions.

The eight American prelates are: Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago; Cardinal Seán O'Malley, archbishop of Boston; Archbishop Charles Chaput, newly appointed archbishop of Philadelphia; Bishops Samuel Aquila of Fargo, North Dakota; Edward Burns of Juneau, Alaska; William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York; and Frank Caggiano, auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn. 

Each bishop will prepare three catechetical sessions, one for each day, based on the theme for WYD Madrid 2011: "Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith" (Colossians 2:7). The three themes of the day are Firm in the Faith (Wednesday) Established in Jesus Christ (Thursday), and Witnesses to Christ in the World (Friday).

On Saturday, U.S. pilgrims and bishops will gather at a morning Mass before that evening's vigil service with the Pope and the next day's papal Mass. Cardinal George will be the main celebrant at Saturday's Mass, and Archbishop Dolan will provide the homily. At the end of Mass, in a made-for-the-occasion ceremony, the U.S. bishops will send forth the youth to the remaining WYD events and ask them to return home as missionaries. After Mass there will also be some time for participants to gather by diocese or region with their bishops.

The number of U.S. pilgrims scheduled to attend World Youth Day continues to grow. So far, more than 28,700 U.S. pilgrims and 62 bishops have registered to participate at WYD 2011.