Over the weekend of 6 and 7 June, many members of the Sa-Fa Family, having travelled from Burgos, Finisterre, Madrid, Palma and Valladolid, had the opportunity to meet Pope Leo XIV. It was an experience that not only allowed us to meet the Holy Father, but also to draw closer to Jesus, living out our brotherhood, sharing our faith and enjoying time together as a family.
Saturday 6th began with a prayer in the school chapel in Madrid, to focus on what is truly important: Jesus. We had an enriching time sharing in small groups, as we were able to get to know better and share with others whom we do not usually spend much time with. After the prayer, we shared a magnificent paella, colloquially known as “papaella”, cooked by Carlos, the school’s wonderful chef, and four assistants from the communities. After lunch, we made our way to Plaza de Lima to enjoy the events leading up to the Vigil. Although we faced a few setbacks, we managed to arrive in time for the Holy Father’s arrival, so we could see him up close in the popemobile. It was a thrilling moment, as after a long wait and all the excitement built up over the months of preparation, we were finally able to meet the Pope and share, alongside thousands of young people, a night of prayer, joy and faith.
The evening began with a dialogue between several young people and the Pope, who asked him about various aspects of the faith and Christian life. It was a very intimate and natural moment, where we were able to get to know the Pope better, and his answers helped us to reflect and live our faith in a different way. It was impressive to see the whole of the Castellana lined with people, gathered there for God. It was also very moving to see how we were all in silence, creating a very special, welcoming atmosphere. One of the most unique moments of the evening was whilst the Blessed Sacrament was exposed and we sang ‘(You) The Only King’. Hearing thousands of young people sing that God is the only King who must reign and the only Lord we wish to praise was something magical. It was a deeply moving moment in which we felt we were all united by the same faith, and experiencing it as the Sa-Fa Family was a true gift.
On the morning of Sunday the 7th, despite the lack of sleep for those who had been at the vigil the previous night, the whole Sa-Fa Family gathered together with the same enthusiasm to watch from Colón as the Holy Father arrived for the mass attended by a huge crowd and the subsequent Corpus Christi procession. We all took part in the celebration with the hymns and Holy Communion, listening in the homily to the invitation to be a “school of faith from which to draw”, to kneel before God and before our neighbour, and to teach the gratitude of love.
On the afternoon of Monday 8th, a small group comprising Brothers, communities, fraternities and teachers was able to attend the meeting with the diocesan community at the Bernabéu, where we heard testimonies from various groups within the Church of Madrid. The Holy Father responded with a call to make the most of our differences and engage in a shared dialogue in order to flourish as a society in the faith, for all Christians share a common good in Christ.
On Tuesday the 9th, at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, it was the Sa-Fa Family from Gavá and Horta who shared in the moving prayer vigil alongside Pope Leo XIV. It was a gathering in which the music and testimonies reminded us that, even in the midst of our darkest nights and difficulties, Christ sustains us with his love. Likewise, some accompanied the Pope as he walked through the streets of Barcelona and attended the Eucharistic celebration at the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia. A true gift.
Thank you, Pope Leo XIV, for your warm and hopeful words, which encourage us to cultivate our inner life without losing hope and to transform our realities from the peace that is born in the heart.
Thank you also to the whole Sa-Fa Family for making this shared experience possible, which strengthens our bonds, renews our commitment and invites us to continue walking together in the light of the Gospel.
