Knights of Columbus

In the days leading up to World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid,numerous groups made pilgrimages to Catholic sites throughout Spain as a spiritual preparation for the international gathering.

Joy and hope. These words characterized the experience of hundreds of thousands of young pilgrims in Madrid, as they participated in various liturgies, celebrations, catechetical programs and other World Youth Day activities.

On Thursday, Aug. 18, hundreds of thousands of World Youth Day pilgrims made their way toward the Plaza de Cibeles to welcome Pope Benedict XVI to Madrid. Excitement filled the air and music filled the streets as volunteers and police directed the growing crowd.

World Youth Day activities throughout Madrid continued on Aug. 17, as pilgrims reported to sites the first of three mornings of bishop-led catechesis and Mass.

Thousands of pilgrims attended the opening Mass in Cibeles Square at World Youth Day 2011 on Tuesday, Aug. 16. The Love and Life Centre hosted the opening concert with Cajun recording artists L'Angelus at the Palacio de Deportes immediately after the Mass.

As thousands of pilgrims arrived in Madrid Aug. 15, in anticipation of World Youth Day 2011, workers finished construction on the main stage of the Palacio de Deportes, and technicians prepared the arena for more than 40 hours of programming over the next week.

For the college Knights of Columbus, World Youth Day in Madrid will be an experience of service and growth. They traveled to holy sites before WYD to prepare for a week of service.