Pilgrimage 2011 Part IV: Pick a Side

So! Finally, after asking for the intercession of our Heavenly Mother in Medugorje, and after using those graces to push me through Days in the Diocese in Valencia, Spain, I finally arrived with my parish group in Madrid, Spain, for World Youth Day. It was, in one word: awesome. And I mean that in the true sense of the word. The whole week spent in Madrid opened my eyes and my heart to the wonder of God, and I was left in a state of awe. I fell in love with Him again.

Pilgrimage 2011 Part III: Pressing On

There is no way for me to describe my Valencia portion of the pilgrimage except in a very travel log-ish way. You'll see.

After Medugorje, I went to Valencia, Spain for my Days in the Diocese (Aug. 11th to 14th), which is the celebratory days leading up to WYD organized in neighbouring dioceses. 

Everyone say "Hello Valencia!"

By this point, I had split from the group that went to Medugorje, Holy Trinity Parish (they went to Peralta for their DID), and had joined up with my own parish, Christ the Redeemer. Valencia was difficult. It was difficult not because there was a lot of overt spiritual formation happening or being given to us, but because there was a distinct lack of overt spirituality, further made apparent by poor organization by the diocese and a lack of a sense of welcome.