Days 5 AND 6 recap WYD: Cuatro Vientos

OSV Newsweekly intern
Linday Ross

Saturday at Cuatro Vientos was not for the faint of heart. It was a very hot day, about 100 degrees in the afternoon with no shade, and the heat was intensified in the crowd of more than a million and a half people. Later came the thunderstorm and pouring rain, turning the mostly dirt field to mud. The storm interrupted the pope's speech, and he had to stop just a few lines into it and was whisked away to wait out the storm in a safe, and I would guess dry, place. However, as easy as it was to be caught up in the inconveniences delivered by Mother Nature, most of the pilgrims seemed to remain focused on the reason we were gathered there in the first place: to participate in a prayer vigil with the Holy Father.
I was touched by a random act of kindness last night. When it started raining, a lot of pilgrims scurried off back to their group campsites, as many had shelters built of tents, tarps and other materials. I, having nowhere to go, stayed put and pathetically tried to ward off the rain with a cardigan I had in my bag. A man popped out of a large makeshift shelter and offered me his poncho. I promised to return it when it quit raining. I paid the act of kindness forward and shared the poncho with a young volunteer sitting next to me. Soon she was ready to make a dash for her campsite and left.
The rain still hadn't stopped, and the man must have felt sorry for me as he looked out from his dry hiding spot. It is quite possible that out of the million and a half people, I was the only one there alone. He came back out and I thought he wanted his poncho back, but instead he grabbed my arm and said in English "Come into our tent!" He didn't have to offer twice, and I climbed into the shelter that held about ten people from Belgium. I really appreciated their hospitality!
I left Cuatro Vientos when the rain let up, and I returned around 8:15 this morning for the final Mass. I was surprised that a lot of pilgrims were leaving as I walked toward the entrance. Judging by the looks of some of their sleep-deprived faces, it had been a rough night. Perhaps they were leaving early to avoid the mad rush after the final Mass.
The final Mass was awesome; there was such a communal feeling in the crowd, as there has been all week. And no rain interrupted the Holy Father this time! It was crazy getting out of Cuatro Vientos afterward, and I must say I wasn't too sorry that it was the last time I'd be in that massive group of people this week. I won't know what to do with myself when I return home to Leesburg, Ind., a town of about 800 people.
WYD has been an amazing experience, and I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to come and relate the events to the OSV readers! Thanks to everyone who has been following my journey.

Adios from Spain,
Lindsay
On Twitter: @LindsayWYD

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Location:Madrid, Spain