You might not be familiar with the term 'WYD' or "World Youth Day" or might have always wanted to attend but never could. Well, in its basic terms, it's a pilgrimage calling for all the youth in the world to have a Mass with the current Pope. It's not just a vacation trip, it's a time when your soul enters into a conversation with Christ. Well, that's a daily demand for us, but in this case, you're taken out of your own comfort zone, maybe in a new country with a difficult language, praying every day and witnessing the Wonders of God in another place -- and finally having a crescendo event by celebrating Eucharist with Pope Benedict XVI.
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| Singing in the streets of Denmark |
I've been to the following WYD's: Canada 2002, Germany 2005, Australia 2008, and finally Spain 2011. Each has been an individual encounter with Christ at perfect times in my life, forming my character and a deeper desire to love Him through others.
I hope to blog about it here, just to share a little of what I go through, but also as a mini-diary so that I can look back and smile at all the wonderful (good and bad) memories He leaves in my life. I know I'm writing a year before I get to go, but I also would like to write about my preparation for this trip. It's vital to prepare myself for this pilgrimage. It might be the last time I get to go, IF I'm alive to go..
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| La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona |
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| Silly Pilgrims |
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| Us girls with WYD Hats |
I will be raising money for Brazil throughout this year. You are welcome to donate and help me to go on this beautiful trip.
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| Pieta-- Mary holding the dead body of Jesus, Valle de los Caidos |
PRAYER REQUESTS
Email me (aleroldan12@gmail.com) if you have any prayer requests-- I will keep them in my heart and pray during this time of preparation, as well as during the pilgrimage. I will pray by name if you give me the opportunity. Remember, we all make up the Mystical Body of Christ :)
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| Night before WYD, so HAPPY while it was storming and raining. |
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| Pope Benedict XVI presiding Mass at WYD, Spain 2011 |
