Our last day in Madrid...

Our last day in Madrid has been filled with mixed emotions.  While we are beginning to miss home--the food, our beds and normal comforts, we also have grown to love Spain and the adventure it provides us each day.  Today, Fr. Schultz celebrated Mass for us at our hotel, then we spent the early afternoon getting lunch, enjoying Plaza Mayor and buying last minute souveniors for our family and friends. 

This afternoon we toured the Prado museum which hosted a special exhibit for WYD, ¨The Word made Image."  Beautiful pieces were included in this collection, Velasquezś Crucifixtion, Fra Angelicoś ¨Annunciation¨ and a few from Carvaggio and El Greco.  It was very impressive and gave us time to really reflect on all the beauty we have experienced over the past two weeks.

We´ve been talking about what has inspired us the most over the last day and many of us have mentioned the awesome universality of our Church.  We´ve met people from all over the world, we don´t share their language, but we feel so connected to them because we share the one true faith. 

We have also been inspired by the beauty of the Churches and use of art to help lead the faithful to a deeper understanding of mysteries of our faith.

We have made some neat friendships this past week in Madrid and have been touched by the generousity of our hosts who have cared for us in our times of need and shared more joyous occasions with us as well.  One young volunteer has come out to visit us and spend the day with us the past two days.  We are sure he is just as exhausted as we are, but his friendship has reminded us of the friendship that Christ desires with each one of us--one that is personal and authentic.

Now we sit and wait...for our bus that is, to take us to the airport!  What a great adventure this has been--God has truly blessed us and we are so grateful to have been able to witness His love.  We can´t wait to see you all very soon!!