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