The next World Youth Day will be an event to remember. Here’s what you need to know to plan your trip, because let’s face it, you really need to be there. Start learning Spanish.
Madrid
The Capital since 1562 and largest city in Spain, Madrid is the third-most populous municipality in the European Union after Greater London and Berlin.
The city is located on the river Manzanares in the centre of both the country and the Community of Madrid. As the capital of Spain, seat of government and residence of the Spanish monarch, Madrid is also the political centre of the country and the major financial centre of the Iberian Peninsula. While Madrid looks like a modern city, it has preserved the look and feel of many historic neighbourhoods and streets.
Landmarks
The huge Royal Palace of Madrid; the Royal Theatre with its restored 1850 Opera House; the Buen Retiro park, founded in 1631; the imposing 19th century National Library building (founded in 1712) containing some of Spain’s historical archives; an archaeological museum and a number of art museums including the world famous Prado Museum.
Madrid is also a lively metropolis with a hectic nightlife, especially during the summer months. There are many pubs, discos and nightclubs.
History
The site of Madrid has been occupied since time immemorial. Madrid’s population was originally Iberian and later Roman. It is now commonly believed that the original name of the settlement here was Matrice, a pre-Muslim word, which refers to the waters of the area.
Madrid was first referred to in historical documents in the late 10th century at which time there was already a fort or castle there. The old walls surrounding this settlement can still be seen today.
Between several different warriors, the Moors kept rule until Madrid was finally conquered in 1085 by Alfonso VI in his advance towards Toledo. This king ordered the main mosque within the fort’s walls to be “purified” and consecrated as a Catholic Church under the guidance of the Virgin of Almudena.
La Virgen de la Almudena later became Madrid’s female patron saint, whose saint’s day is celebrated on November 9 and who gives her name to Madrid’s cathedral.
The male patron saint of Madrid is Saint Isidro, a 12th century farm worker noted for his humbleness.
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance there were many conquerors, rulers and monarchies in Spain. In the late 1880s, Queen Isabel II could not suppress the political tension that would lead to yet another revolt, resulting in the First Spanish Republic.
This was later followed by the return of the monarchy to Madrid, then the creation of the Second Spanish Republic, preceding the Spanish Civil War. Madrid was one of the most heavily affected cities of Spain by the Civil War (1936-39).
The city was a stronghold for the Republicans from July 1936. During the dictatorship of Franco, especially during the 1960s, the south of Madrid became very industrialised, and there were massive migrations from the rural areas of Spain into the city. After the death of Franco, emerging democratic parties accepted King Juan Carlos I as both Franco’s successor and as heir of the historic dynasty – in order to secure stability and democracy. This led Spain to its current position as a constitutional monarchy, with Madrid as capital.
Churches in Madrid:
Many of Madrid’s churches are considered historic temples. They also become the centre of attention during Holy Week when many of the religious icons stored in the churches are paraded through the streets of the capital. The most notable Madrid churches are:
– Catedral de Santa Maria Ia Real de la Almudena. This is Madrid’s Cathedral and is located next to the Royal Palace, designed in 1879 by the Marques of Cubas in neo-gothic style and has a Romanesque crypt. The construction was delayed until renewed in 1946 and then finally completed in 1993 when it was consecrated by Pope John Paul II on 15 June, 1993.
– Basilica de San Francisco el Grande. The enormous dome of this basilica is its most prominent feature. It is the third largest dome in Europe. The church is located just a short distance from the Cathedral.
– Colegiata de San Isidro el Real. Madrid’s Cathedral until 1993, until La Almudena took over, this baroque church is the scene of Easter Week’s most thrilling moment, when the costaleros get down almost to the knees to bring out the two religious statues through the door of the church.
– La Capilla del Obispo. A unique 16th century Gothic church in Madrid, designed to hold the mortal remains of San Isidro.
– San Nicolas de los Servitas. This is Madrid’s oldest church, and possesses a bell tower which dates from the 12th century.
– Convento de las Trinitarias Descalzas de San Ildefonso. The famous Spanish writer Miguel Cervantes was buried in this austere church.
– Real Monasterio de la Encarnacion. This church contains several religious relics, the most famous of which is a small container with the blood of San Pantaleon which turns to liquid each year on July 27.
Climate
Madrid is Europe’s highest-lying capital. It is situated almost in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula. Its temperatures ranges from cold, yet sunny in the winter, to very hot in summer. Madrid can be stifling hot in July and August and sometimes snow in the winter months. The months of March, April, May and June are relatively mild.
Transport
Madrid is served by Barajas International Airport. It is one of the ten busiest airports in the world. Possibly the fastest and cheapest way into Madrid is the AeroCity Airport Shuttle. Once in Madrid, the Madrid Metro is one of the most extensive and fastest growing metro networks in the world. There is also a commuter rail network. High speed trains also serve towns outside of Madrid including Barcelona, Seville, Toledo, Valladolid and Segovia.
Info provided by xt3.com
Madrid 2011: missionaries in a pilgrim land
World Youth Day Madrid 2011, open to all, will make Australian pilgrims missionaries in Europe, a key organiser for the event says.
By Anthony Barich
World Youth Day Madrid 2011 will draw non-Catholics to Christ and his Church and will enhance the concepts of discipleship so they can re-Christianise their secular world, organisers say.
Santiago de la Cierva, Communications Director for WYD 2011, said that the August 15-21 event would drive youth to transform the increasingly secular culture back to its Christian roots.
This is especially so in Spain, which has arguably been one of the biggest victims of anti-Christian secularism that believes Catholicism to be restrictive and unreasonable.
“The media are not driving this society: each society has the media it deserves, and if we don’t like the media we have, the starting point to make a change is to change ourselves, and media will follow. They always follow,” he said in an exclusive interview with xt3.com, the social networking site for World Youth Day pilgrims that was started for WYD08.
“We Catholics should bring our own environment with us: if the pressure inside ourselves is high, because of our truly Christian life, nothing from the outside will come in, just the opposite.”
The xt3 social networking website also reported Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela of Madrid as saying that the event would “have important repercussions for the social, cultural and general life of Spain”.
Santiago de la Cierva said that WYD Madrid would emphasise the missionary nature of Christianity, as there is a misconception about how the Church grew over the centuries.
He said that all Christians are called to be Apostles, “and I would say young Christians even more”.
“Sometimes people think that the Church expanded thanks to old people going to other countries, while the truth is that most of the missionaries who brought the Gospel from the Holy Land to Europe, Africa, America, and the Far East and even to Oceania, were in their twenties,” he said. “There is nothing as convincing and moving as young people living the Gospel.”
He said organisers want WYD Madrid 2011 to be considered an open event for young people interested in knowing more about Jesus and his Church – Catholics and non-Catholics alike – “and in living together the experience with their peers from all over the world”.
“Madrid 2011 will be a real ‘fiesta’, where we hope and pray that many young people discover that happiness is really at hand, following Christ’s footprints,” he said.
He added that World Youth Day Madrid 2011 would bring Christ back into the public square through the sheer weight of numbers gathering for a Catholic event and through the humanitarian and peaceful actions of the pilgrims who will invade the city for a week.
“The young people themselves are the best ambassadors of the Church,” he said.
“Participants at WYD are always a model in many ways: open to dialogue with those who think differently, willing to help others, leave the venues better than they were, spend some time during their stage in Spain helping out in hospitals, hospices with sick, the old and the handicapped, don’t disrupt public order, peacemakers, sober and not tied to consumerism… and always with a smile.
“No wonder why so many people ask what makes them different from other peers, what’s their secret?”
WYD Madrid will start with an Opening Mass on August 16 before three days of events spread across hundreds of venues across the city, including Catechesis in the mornings, daily Mass and the sacrament of Reconciliation.
A Youth Festival will also bring music, dance and drama performances from around the world to stadiums across Madrid.
The Pope will arrive on August 18 before a re-enactment of the Way of the Cross through the city streets on August 19.
The traditional pilgrimage walk to the WYD Vigil on August 20 will see millions of pilgrims who are expected to arrive for an afternoon of concerts, performances and song as they await the arrival of the Pope.
The WYD Papal Mass with the youth of the world will follow morning prayer and breakfast on August 21, when the Pope will give his special message and blessing.
How much will it cost?
By Anthony Barich
Young Perth Catholics who want to attend World Youth Day Madrid 2011 need to start saving now, as it will cost just over $5000.
And even that is at the “bottom end” of what a package tour will cost if pilgrims want to go to other places of spiritual significance after WYD Madrid or attend the preceding Days in the Dioceses. Though it is still two years out and so much can change in that time including taxes, fuel, and other charges, a Harvest Pilgrimages spokesman told The Record that to travel to Madrid to attend WYD only would still cost at least $4000, including all registration costs, transfers, airfares and simple accommodation. The registration alone is estimated to cost about $400.
After consultations with Harvest Pilgrimages, Perth’s Catholic Youth Ministry Office said that the estimated cost for a two-week trip for WYD Madrid is $5000 based on a group size of 40 people and includes a post-travel option.
“If you’re intending to go, I would aim to save at least $5500 and you would need to have the money saved in the next 18 months,” CYM director Anita Parker said.
This means saving or raising approximately $300 a month for the next 18 months. She warned pilgrims not to delay planning for WYD Madrid. “If you leave your savings plan for any longer, you’ll have to save $400-500 per month to reach your goal,” she said.
Registration costs for WYD Madrid are not yet set and the August 15-21 event is during peak season to Europe, so fees are generally higher. CYM encourages prospective pilgrims to prepare for WYD Madrid intellectually and spiritually by attending its monthly Sunday Sesh sessions, which include Mass, formation and fraternity among other youth.
By contacting the CYM office on admin@cym.com.au or 9422 7912, the office can keep pilgrims updated on Madrid information.
Spain’s hero, St James the Great: an intimate journey with Christ
St James enjoyed a special friendship with Christ as one of the first four Apostles He chose. He also willingly suffered martyrdom for his beliefs in the Resurrected One. He has a special relationship with Spain, where the next World Youth Day will be held in 2011.
The James whose shrine is at Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain was arguably one of Christ’s closest friends.
His story reveals an intimate encounter with the life of Christ.
James, who is believed to have evangelised Spain when the Apostles divided the known world into missionary zones, was one of the first four Apostles called by Christ. James, along with his brother John, the fishermen sons of Zebedee or “sons of thunder” as they were known, were present at many of the key events in Christ’s life that revealed His glory, including the Transfiguration.
They were fishing partners with Simon Peter when Christ called the first four, including Andrew, from mending their nets beside the sea of Galilee at the beginning of His ministry, when He told Peter to cast his net out when they had caught nothing all morning and, doing what He said, they caught so many the nets nearly broke.
James and John were present at the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29), and at the raising of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51). They are described in private conversation with Jesus on the Mount of Olives (Mark 13:3).
They were also present with Peter (but not Andrew), at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17, 1-13; Mark 9, 2-8; Luke 9, 28-36), and again, the same three disciples were called apart from the others in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33).
But their mother got too proud when she asked Jesus to accord James and John places on His right and His left when He came into His kingdom (Matthew 20, 20-28; Mark 10, 35-45). Jesus responded by saying ‘you don’t know what it is you are asking’, and reminded them to be humble, and that He himself had come to serve, not to be served.
The sons of Zebedee are specifically mentioned as present at one of the post-resurrection appearances (John 21:2), on the lakeshore of Tiberias; and among those gathered in the upper room after the ascension (Acts 1:13).
James, known as James the Great to distinguish him from James the Less, the other of the first 12 Apostles chosen by Christ, was martyred (Acts 12:1-2) at the hands of Herod Agrippa between 41-44 AD.
Legend has it that when the Apostles divided the known world into missionary zones, the Iberian peninsula fell to James.
Walking the Via de la Plata – which follows the Roman road north from Seville – today gives you a vivid impression of the Spain James (or Paul) would have known.
Seventh and eighth-century documents prior to the discovery of the tomb refer to the belief that James spent a number of years preaching in Spain before returning to Jerusalem, and martyrdom.
His followers are believed to have carried his body down to the coast and put it into a stone boat, which was carried “by angels” and the wind beyond the Pillars of Hercules – the straits of Gibraltar – to land near Finisterre, at Padrón, on the Atlantic coast of northern Spain. The local Queen, Lupa, provided the team of oxen used to draw the body from Padrón to the site of the marble tomb (Arca Marmorica), a little way inland, which she had also provided.
He was believed to have been buried with two of his own disciples, Athanasius and Theodore, but the site of his tomb was forgotten for some 800 years.
Early in the ninth century a hermit, Pelayo, was led by a vision to the spot. The tomb was rediscovered, and the relics authenticated as those of St James by the local bishop. Spain at this period sorely needed a new champion or focus to inspire Christians against the invading Moors. The rediscovery came therefore at a most auspicious moment. – Information courtesy of the Confraternity of St James