Quatro Vientos and the four winds

Fr. John Putzer stands behind the makeshift altar at the sports center in Velillas de San Antonio.

Saturday was the day on which hundreds of thousands of pilgrims would begin to gather at Quatro Vientos Aerodrome in the southwest of Madrid, where we would gather with the pope for a prayer service, Adoration, and, the following morning, Mass.

The day began early, with the priests of our group celebrating Mass. We gathered in the courtyard on the side of the sports center, where a temporary altar (a folding table with an altar cloth, crucifix, and world youth day candles) was set up. The pilgrims sat and knelt on the hard bricks as we began the day in prayer and celebration of the sacrifice of our Lord.

To see the pope

Pope Benedict XVI comes past the Madion Diocesan pilgrims in his popemobile.

On Thursday, Aug. 18, Pope benedict XVI arrived in Madrid. He flew into the airport, where he was greeted by officials and a delegation of youth. From there, he was to come into Madrid proper, where he would be welcomed by the youth of World Youth Day and celebrate a short prayer service.

For those of us in the crowd, this was our first opportunity this WYD — for many, the first opportunity in person — to see the pope. The experience was anticipated greatly.