Banks of the River Rhien

This is Fr. St. Martin reporting.

Today we reflected on where we saw Christ so far in our pilgimage and then offered Mass together in the Hotel. Colleen, TJ, Erica, and Kaitlyn spent the rest of the day turing an ancient castle. Mike, Maria, Terry, Kelsey, Kristin, and I visited an expoition on Mother Theresa of Calcultta and some of our number dove into the pool of reconciliation. We all were able to take part in adoration with the rosary led by the Sisters of Charity.

We grabed a quick sandwich and found our way to what we thought was the field where the Pope was going to talk from the boat. He when right past us, stopped for a while, and then the jian catamaran on which he was perched backed up untill it was directly in front of us. Even though we had arived only a short time before he did we found ourselves within the most excellent of spots.

From what I have been able to gather so far the multi-lingual address was a reminder to the people of this fair city that they have produced many great saints. He talked of St. Edith Stien and her observation that we can forget how to pray. He told us to open our hearts to Christ and that in this, the year of the Eucharist, to remember God's mercy flowing from the Eucharist.

He called us to pray for the founder of Taize movement who was killed just a couple of days ago. He was able to get Catholics and other Christians to pray together.

We ate at an outdoor cafe, looked at all the things we were able to trade with our siblings from all over the world, had a little catechisis on the magesterium and infalibility, and caught a few songs at a concert. After a good sleep we will be ready to worship Christ tommorrow.

Colleen, Erica, Krintin, and Kelsey will attend a 5 hr. chior practice for the final Papal Mass. Everyone is bursting with excitement and pride. St. Cecilia, the patron St. of Musicians, is a powerful intercesor! The rest of us will be traveling to a stadium to hear Jim Kavesal and meditate on the Lord's Passion.