So Close, Yet So Far...

Pilgrims on hike to Cuatro Vientos

The pilgrim walk was arduous to say the least. I saw at least two people pass out on the way that ultimately needed medical attention from the EMTs. Luckily, these incidents were thankfully close to "oasis", and we were able to get them water right away. It was touching to see people give their water freely to help someone in need. That, and I remember Michael Smith. When we saw one person passed out, he tore down the road like a bat out of... Gehenna. The weather was extremely hot, nearing 100 degrees and there was a lack of water stations along the five mile walk to Cuatro Vientos. However, in the midst of all this, people were still filled with a spirit of joy and helpfulness. Some of the local Spaniards had their water hoses out and were spraying pilgrims along the way. Others were sprinkling water from their water buckets from overpasses, dumping buckets (much to the amusement of the children) and filling water bottles (much to the liking of the pilgrims). As we approached the gate, we were dismayed to find it had been closed! We had to "proceed to Gate 5", and thankfully we found a nice (and by nice, I simply mean less bumpy) spot in front of a large screen.

Campsite in Section J-5

We, sadly, did not see the Pope in person, but we got the next-best-thing. Also, we met a friend! I desperately hope she doesn't find this blog, and if she does, please forgive me! I forgot how to spell her name. Sageta? Sageta. A funny and joyous woman from Lithuania. After learning she traveled alone, we invited to hang out with us. Throughout out our prayer service, a little hurricane made its way through WYD! Thankfully our tent and tarps remained intact. Sageta was thankful dad brought a tarp. That night, we were mortified then joyous at the announcements that 3 children had been lost, then found. What saddened me the most was when I woke up, 23 children had been missing throughout the night. What made me most happy was the announcement at the end of the Mass (in the morning) that somehow, by the Grace of God, all the children were found! I know 26 is nothing out of 1.5 million, but we were very, very happy to see these children safe and sound. During Mass, we did not receive Communion, sadly. Once word got around that there was a priest with the Host, people flocked together and it was distributed before we got there. So close, yet so far... That is also how we felt about the Pope. Nonetheless, it was an AMAZING experience, and we learned the next World Youth Day will be in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!

Pope on the big screen

I thank God for these weeks and as I walk home from the farewell dinner, the thoughts in my head resound "We're done!" Now back to my summer assignments, I suppose... I am extremely grateful for everyone who supported us in our travels - World Youth Day is the experience of a lifetime!

Samuel G. Nicacio