Madrid - Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

First full day in Madrid after getting in last night. Today is a 'free' day as the full festivities of World Youth Day begin in earnest with the opening Mass at Cibeles Square on Tuesday.

We attended Mass at the Almudena Cathedral of Madrid (yet another awesome Cathedral!). The entire Mass was in Spanish, so it was difficult to understand the content for us non-Spanish speaking pilgrims; however, we were able to follow the Mass and we knew when to sit and stand, kneel and bow. It was interesting to listen closely to the Mass responses and see how they differed from the U.S. translation.

Side Altar at Catedral Nuestra Senora De La Almudena

Afterwards, we enjoyed a stroll along the pedestrian only plazas. So many pilgrims are streaming into Madrid now. We saw and greeted groups from Great Britain, the Philippines, Japan, Cuba, France, Australia, fellow Americans and Canada.