A modern day pilgrimage: walking to Cuatro Vientos

July 21 – In the middle ages men and women of faith who travelled to the Holy Land to see the sites of Jesus' life marked themselves with tattoos to show that they had made the voyage. With the advent of modern means of transportation, today the only obstacle to making such a voyage is the cost. Perhaps then, it's time to re-capture the value of pilgrimage: a journey that leaves room for prayer and the action of the Holy Spirit.

Instead of crossing an ocean, World Youth Day pilgrims will have a chance to spend a day making a pilgrimage across Madrid to get the Cuatro Vientos Air Base where the Prayer Vigil and Closing Mass will be held August 20 and 21. The pilgrimage route begins in downtown Madrid, at Principe Pio Station and runs through parks and green spaces all the way to Cuatro Vientos.

According to Alejandro Chico of the WYD Logistics Depatment, the route was purposely planned to run through parks because it's cooler than walking along city streets and thus easier to turn a walk into an experience.

If pilgrims are having a difficult time with the heat and just can't fathom the idea of walking the full eight kilometeres, there are two points at which the route intesects with public transportation. Laguna Station is about halfway through the route. Both Metro (“Circular” line number 6) and Cercanias commuter rail stop at Laguna. Meanwhile, Aluche station is a 20 minute walk from Cuatro Vientos and both the “Casa de Campo” metro line and Cercanias stop at Aluche. The station is also a major hub for buses that service the city and the outlying suburban areas. On August 20 a shuttle bus service will run from Aluche to Cuatro Vientos approximately every five minutes.

WYD Backpack

Here is a picture of what the backpack and its contents will look like.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/madrid011/5959913495/in/photostream

What to Wear: Part Two

The Three Rules of Packing: Part One

Packing List

I shared this with everyone during our time at the Cross in the Woods. However, I wanted to put this up for those in our group that were not able to join us.

This list has been compiled from a few different sources. Here are a few rules to follow as you are preparing to pack.

1. Only one bag
2. Only pack for one week
3. If you thnk you may only use an item once, then don't bring it
4. Talk to others going on the pilgrimage, what can you consolidate among you?
5. Don't bring anything that is too valuable to lose or give away

What to Bring

4-5 shirts, make sure one is a loose fitting long sleeve
3-4 pants/jeans (Remember, no shorts will be allowed in the churches)
socks and undergarments
good walking shoes
light jacket
sleeping clothes
bathing suit
shower towel
something to wear on your feet in the shower
toiletries (use the TSA approved bottles)
sleeping amt
sleeping bag
rain poncho
space blanket
small umbrella
sun screen
camera
small flashlight
tradable items
hat to keep the sun off your face

What I Will Provide

WYD prayer book with journaling pages
WYD/Diocesan shirt
Water bottle
small hand sanitizer (people with big hands can use it too)
bandana
string back pack
over the neck travel wallet

What Not to Bring

more than one bag
anything illegal
anything you think you may only use once