World youth day is the biggest festival in the world (about a million people). Catholic youth from all over the world comes together every three years in a different city to celebrate their faith, meet the pope and for a few days experience the international church they are part of. This year it was held in Madrid, and I was there. The most amazing thing to me is to see so many enthusiastic young believers making radical decisions to stand for something that is bigger than they are, in order to hopefully be a light into this world.
I went with a Dutch group of about 90 people. The first week was spent in Zaragoza, the second in Madrid. 
About 3000 people from all over the world praying together at night in Zaragoza. 
Everywhere on the streets there was dancing and singing going on. Random strangers united in silly moves and taught each other national dances, exchanged flags and had a good time together.
Even in the (more quiet) outskirts moods were high and we just didn’t stop dancing.
There were priests on skate boards, 
long bus rides (that didn’t seem that long) 
making new friends, 
nuns on jumping poles
street musicians that never in their life had seen such an enthusiastic public 
Locals throwing water to cool down the hot and grateful crowd,
A lot of people, a lot of balloons, a lot of fun 
sleeping outside in the rain for a night, 
waking up with over a million neighbors, 
And to all of the above I would like to bring out a toast. If this is the living church of today, I am happy to be a part of it. It was awesome.
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4 Comments
Style Dilettante
September 2, 2011 at 16:54
Wow! Looks like a very memorable and fantastic trip! So inspired… Nice to see youth who are not cynical, just embracing life and wanting to make a difference!
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Sairs
September 3, 2011 at 08:37
I love your awesome attitude! Although I am not catholic, I do like to see happy people enjoying life. Peace :)
Sarah
Magical Day Dream
September 4, 2011 at 21:14
@ Style Dilettante: It truly was :) It really gives me hope for my generation..
@ Sairs: I think in the end it is just about trying to make others happy, use your talents to do so and try to be happy yourself and live life to the full. You find that inside and outside the catholic church. But to me my religious view helps and guides me to do the above.
Vintage Appeal
October 23, 2011 at 11:06
Looks amazing! I took part in the World Youth Day a few years ago in Sydney! Awesome experience! Looks like you got as much from it as I did!