It begins...

Our first night on the gym floor was just as uncomfortable as you would expect, but it was quite a sight to see us all sprawled out on the floor with each person in his or her own 2ft by 7ft section.

The seminarians split away from the group early in the morn for some time away to pray with the Archbishop. We began with a nice long walk to the motherhouse of the Sister Servants of Mary. They welcomed us with with wonderful open arms into their holy home and treated us to an incredibly delightful breakfast. We had an excellent holy hour in their beautiful chapel there where their saintly relics reside. What a great way to start the day.

After that we headed over to see the Little Sisters of the lamb and were lifted up to heaven as they sang. We ran into Cardinal Schonborn there and were amazed to see the brotherly love that he and the Archbishop share. We now wait for the opening Mass this evening in the hot summer heat. Madrid is now officially taken over with pilgrims filling every inch of the city. The joy and excitement is tremendous.