World Youth Day 2011 Will Include a Special Walk to the Final Celebration

Like pilgrims of old, attendees will take a journey to a holy event.

Young people from around the world will be walking through downtown Madrid, singing, praying and sharing on their journey to a giant celebration held on the outskirts of the city.Religious pilgrims have always said that the journey is a part of the reward since they traveled together as devoted men, women and children toward a holy destination.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - Several years ago when visiting Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France, we were told about the pilgrims that used to visit the monastery on this tiny tidal island. After journeying for days they would gather on the shore and then walk the final distance on the ocean bed at low tide.

Religious pilgrims have always said that the journey is a part of the reward since they traveled together as devoted men, women and children toward a holy destination. Those attending World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid will have an opportunity for this same blessing.

A giant celebration on Saturday and Sunday will be the official closing of WYD 2011. It will take place at Cuatro Vientos Air Base about eight kilometers (almost five miles) from downtown Madrid. The airport, which used to be a military air base, is about the length of 48 football fields and capable of hosting the expected one million attendees. Most of the young people will make the journey on foot.

The route to the air base begins in downtown Madrid at Principe Pio Station and will follow a trail through the parks and green spaces of the city rather than along the streets. For those not able to make the whole trek, public transportation will be available at two points along the route.

During this five-mile hike, singing, recitation of the rosary, prayer and conversation will become a feast of Christ-centered fellowship for those on the journey. The many stories that will come out of this brief pilgrimage will most certainly testify to the work of the Holy Spirit taking place.

Cuatro Vientos Air Base will be open at noon on Saturday to welcome the crowds straggling in and performances begin on the main stage beginning at 2pm.

On Saturday evening Pope Benedict will lead the group in Eucharistic adoration and address the gathering. Adoration will center around the Monstrance of Arfe, a Spanish masterpiece fashioned of gold and provided by the Cathedral of Toledo.

The young people will be spending the night at the airfield. In the area where they will be staying, 17 Eucharistic Adoration tents will be set up so the attendees will be able to continue their vigil.

Preparations are well under way at the airport where WYD staff will be setting up a main stage, 8 health camps to offer first aid, 48 sound towers and 20 giant screen TVs to allow attendees to follow the ceremonies. Special accommodations are also being made ready for those with intellectual and physical disabilities as well as those who are visually or hearing impaired.

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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online and the CEO/Associate Publisher for the Northern Virginia Local Edition of Catholic Online (http://virginia.catholic.org). He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

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