Mass with Pope Benedict XVI

The evening prior to the Mass was beautiful.  An aboriginie girl had Pope Benedict light a candle and it eventually spread to each of the 500,000 + people in the crowd.  The candle lit vigil was a cool sight to witness.  The music was loud and uplifting.  We heard concerts from artists like Father Stan Furtuna who is from the Bronx and raps and Matt Maher, a favorite of ours.  Actually, Matt and I chose Matt Maher’s Litany of Saints to be played at our wedding when the moms came down the aisle. 

The slumber party under the stars was interesting. We stayed very warm and dry thank goodness.  Matt slept a ton and I hardly did.  Those Brazillians sure do know how to celebrate (all night long singing and dancing…)

In the morning the Pope flew over the crowds blessing everyone.  It must have been cool to be up there with so many people waving up at you.

Benedict made his way to the stage for Mass.  24 lucky people were confirmed by the Pope.  The music and cantors were out of this world.  However, the opera singer who cantored was not as great as cousin Erin Laurence who sang “The Prayer” at our wedding.

We received Communion via Pope which is so special.  We heard the Australian Idol sing our World Youth Day theme song “Alleluia, Receive the Power of the Holy Spirit”.  We’ve heard it so much from artists and groups singing it in different languages that we’re singing it in our sleep.

Matt and I were soo antsy to hear Pope Benedict at the VERY END of the ceremony share WHERE he will see us again for the 2011 WYD….

Madrid, Spain!!   We’ll be there so if you are reading this and want to go start planning now!

Our walk back from Randwick was hot and heavy.  We slept a lot and saw our group off to the airport at 2:45 in the morning.

Our next stop..   Bondi Beach!