The bus comfortably transported all 60 of us pilgrims (three combined groups including two groups from New York and St. Joseph) in air conditioning. The bus from Lisbon did not have AC, so it was nice to be comfortable for the long ride over.
After we checked in to our Hotel Monterrey in Salamanca, we began exploring the Plaza Mayor, the Universidad and visited several churches including St. Esteban, Nuevo Catedral and Church of the Holy Spirit. Amazing and privileged to see these venerable structures of the faith and in the presence of so much history.
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| Fr. Gary, Veronica, Sarah, Michael in front of Nuevo Catedral |
After a simple dinner back at the hotel, we again explored the vibrant life night of the Plaza Mayor and paseo. It was amazing how many people were out and about enjoying the evening, having tapas, hanging out in the square. Several other groups of World Youth Day pilgrims were present: groups from Canada, Great Britain, and USA. Cheers and chants broke out spontaneously in the plaza as young people gathered to celebrate and revel in the experience that is World Youth Day. If this is a foretaste of events to come, watch out! There was a joy and revelry about the Plaza Mayor. Teens and young adults being in the moment and experiencing the new found camaraderie of fellow pilgrims.
The internet access is a bit haphazard here, so I will try to post more later. On to a day trip to the birthplace of St. Teresa of Avila. God bless!
Thank you to all the pilgrims who have posted, and who will post! It is a real joy to read what touches each of you. This most recent post about the youth coming together in a spontaneous celebration brought tears to my eyes! Blessings to all of you! (love ya Gary!).
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