My Pictures of Madrid

From Pope Benedict's words during the Prayer Vigil:
"Dear young people, do not be satisfied with anything less than Truth and Love, do not be content with anything less than Christ."
"The Lord has allowed you to live in this moment of history so that, by your faith, his name will continue to resound throughout the world."
"If you abide in the love of Christ, rooted in the faith, you will encounter, even amid setbacks and suffering, the source of true happiness and joy."

Loading...
(1619K)
3072 x 2304
Leaving our hostel, Pope Benedict drives by!
Loading...
(136K)
922 x 737
As we all lined one side of the street, he turned and waved to us.
Loading...
(721K)
2304 x 3072
The Church of St. Isidore.
Loading...
(1684K)
3072 x 2304
St. Isidore the Laborer, also known as Isidore the Farmer (1070-1130) is the Catholic patron saint of farmers and of Madrid, his birthplace.
Loading...
(1985K)
3072 x 2304
St. Isidore married Maria Torribia, also a canonized saint, who is known as Santa Maria de la Cabeza because her head (cabeza) is often carried in procession to ask her intercession, especially during droughts.
Loading...
(1939K)
3072 x 2304
We pray morning prayer and have time for confessions before entering the Church to say Mass.
Loading...
(743K)
2304 x 3072
The tombs of St. Isidore and Maria are located above the high altar.
Loading...
(2757K)
3072 x 2304
Spain is know for their Holy Week processions featuring "pasos", floats of lifelike wooden sculptures of individual scenes of the events of the Passion.
Loading...
(1860K)
3072 x 2304
There were a number of these from around the city used for the Stations of the Cross with the Pope, which were being kept in the Church of St Isidore.
Loading...
(2738K)
3072 x 2304
Many of these sculptures are of great antiquity and are considered artistic masterpieces, as well as being culturally and spiritually important to the local Catholic population.
Loading...
(2072K)
3072 x 2304
We arrived at Cuatros Vientos airfield, survived the heat, and await the arrival of the pope.
Loading...
(1996K)
3072 x 2304
Preparations are underway at the large stage with the altar under the "tree".
Loading...
(665K)
2304 x 3072
Some of the Italians find a way to pass the time.
Loading...
(470K)
3072 x 2304
Flags wave as the Pope arrives.
Loading...
(308K)
3072 x 2304
A miracle of silence occurred, both with the sudden end to the thunderstorm, and with 1.4 million people simultaneously become still and silent in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, just as Benedict had asked: "Dear young people, in these moments of silence before the Blessed Sacrament, let us raise our minds and hearts to Jesus Christ, the Lord of our lives and of the future."

Click on an image to see the larger picture.

Return to World Youth Day 2011