On Saturday evening at 9.00 pm JACY entered into the airfield in Madrid, prepared to spend time in prayer and reflection with the Holy Father.
After a long walk to the field our leaders were supportive to all of us – whilst many groups had pilgrims fainting, we were kept well topped up with water, shade and breaks. Everyone in the group arrived at the field safely.

The atmosphere in the airfield was amazing for the Youth, to see so many other young Catholics was inspirational.
As soon as we knelt down for Eucharistic adoration the entire crowd of over two million young people went absolutely silent.
For many of us, this was truly refreshing.

Being a part of World Youth Day has been beneficial to all of us.
One of our Pilgrims said that it gave them “a sense of acceptance, and that you are truly living out an active experience” another Pilgrim said that World Youth Day “opens your eyes to how big our Catholic Church is”

Greeting the Pope was an incredible moment both the atmosphere and the purpose of the event contributed to this, but the sheer number of people attending the Papal Mass on Sunday was even more moving and “eye opening”

Unfortunately, due to the astonishing number of people attending the evening vigil, our three Pilgrims did not make it in time to catch their front row seats for adoration.

We slept outside in the evening with sleeping bags and had a good night’s sleep.
The Papal Mass in the morning was amazing, the Pope gave his message to the Young people and asked them to go home and spread the joy of their faith to others!