JMJ

The music from the closing Mass of WYD (Or JMJ in Spanish) is very good. Have a listen:









The theme song:


And a moving video:

Brigitta meets the Holy Father

My lucky friend! :)

How often do you get to see a friend live on TV?

The Pope and his youth at the vigil

"Young people, thank you for your joy! Thank you for your resistance! Your strength is greater than the rain!...Dear young people, together we have experienced an adventure. Firm in the faith in Christ, you have resisted the rain. Before leaving I want to tell all of you good night. Rest well. Thank you for the sacrifice you are making. And which I don't doubt you will offer generously to the Lord. We'll see each other tomorrow, God willing. I await you all. I thank you all for the marvelous example that you've given. Just like tonight, with Christ you will always be able to take on the tests of life. Don't forget that. Thank you to all!"

This pope understand the youth, and appreciates him. And they love him for that.

Benedict XVI didn't leave his post and continued to smile, as hundreds of thousands began chanting, "These are the youth of the Pope." Despite attempts to cover the Holy Father with umbrellas, his clothes and the text of his speech were drenched.

Source: Zenit

The Pope was "struck" by the young people's enthusiasm, he explained.

Even if the vigil had not been able to follow the program that had been planned, the Jesuit priest observed that it provided an occasion to give "a further message, because the way of dealing with this difficulty demonstrated enthusiasm, decision, the desire of the young people present to continue – without losing the least courage -- their celebration of faith."

The Pope, Father Lombardi added, "was absolutely one with them in being absolutely decided to continue, to be present."

"During the storm he was asked twice whether he thought that he should leave and instead said: ‘No, I am staying. We are staying.'"

It was evident that Benedict XVI was "very struck by this enthusiasm and this participation by the young people."

For the Vatican spokesman, one of the most intense moments was during eucharistic adoration: "Yesterday evening -- with the storm that naturally brought a little confusion in some moments -- it was perhaps hard to expect recollection and such complete participation and so quickly in the moment of the prayer of adoration."
"It seemed to me, instead," Father Lombardi said, "that this was one of the most extraordinary aspects of yesterday evening's vigil."

Source: Zenit

Christ the Redeemer

A glorious photograph.


By iko

Via First Things.

God willing I can go to Brazil for World Youth Day next time. I really feel sad I missed it this year. Especially when dear friends were there. I followed several of the events - they're moving, they're grand!

Caro Papa Benedetto! Let's see you strong and healthy at the next WYD! You see how the youth love you! You and the One you serve and point to.We need you.







Getty Images. Via Day Life

I submitted my thesis today

and the last few days - and the fact that I made the deadline - have been quite miraculous. Now for some sleep.

Planted and built up in Christ

What an exciting atmosphere at Cibeles Square. The youth of the world were there to see their Holy Father. And my friend got to kiss his ring! :)


AP

Bir Tawil

Bir Tawil is a very peculiar area. Located south of Egypt and north of Sudan, it is a trapezoid of land (about 2060 km²) wanted by neither Egypt nor by Sudan. In fact, both countries want to award it to the other. This, however, is not due to a unique case of goodness.

Egypt would like to leave the boundaries as they were drawn in 1899, which would make Bir Tawil Sudanese territory. This would leave Hala'ib triangle, a more extensive piece of land which has rich soil, in its own possession.

Sudan, however, wants to honor the boundary lines drawn on the treaties of 1902, which would achieve the same thing in its favor: Hala'ib for Sudan and Bir Tawil for Egypt.

Neither nation is interested in Bir Tawil simply because there is nothing there. Land within the borders of Bir Tawil is mostly sand or dry mountains. A well had once been built inside Bir Tawil (the name means "water well" in Arabic), but no one is sure where it went or what happened to it.

Source.

Quite Interesting isn't it? Heard it on QI. :)

The Month of the Immaculate Heart

DAILY OFFERING TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and suffering of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sins, the reunion of all Christians; I offer them for the intentions of our Bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month. AMEN.

What has happened to British Politics?

This is the Leader of the Opposition? Mindlessly repeating exactly the same set of words over and over again?

Via Damien Thompson who wonders if Ed Miliband is feeling OK