Day Two

After a good night's sleep everyone woke up enthused for the day ahead. The experiences began with a wonderful breakfast followed by gathering at the Apostolate for the possession. We didn't know what that meant. This was a gathering in the chapel that lead us through the surrounding streets. This involved the brothers processing the statue of Our Lady through the streets praying the rosary and singing hymns dedicated to her. I am sure everyone would agree that describing this experience would not even come close to expressing the feeling of what we felt during the procession. To witness young children coming up to the brothers seeking blessings and joining in as we past was spectacular. Finally after a half an hour we arrived to begin mass for the feast day for Pennefracia de Virgen. 

The celebration of this mass was something we had never experienced before. To hear the faithfilled brother's singing in full volume with harmonisation was another rich experience for us. We were joined by the children, women and men of the apostolate in the celebration. 

We left the apostolate to be filled with another magnificent lunch to return to the apostolate for an afternoon with the children and adults. This really marked the first time the team had the chance to spend some one on one time with the residents in the care home of the brothers. We painted nails, played with the children, a challenging, uplifting time, a whole gamut of feeling were experience in one afternoon. It would be fair to say that some took to the task naturally, others warmed up to it and other are still finding their feet.

The new experiences also came with prayer time with the brothers at the end of the day with Adoration and evening prayer. The brother's singing was heavenly and heart-felt and a highlight for some in our group. We finished the day with a meal with the brothers and were for the third time welcomed with song and applause.  

Sensory overload of first-time experiences will be something we will never forget. This is only Day 2.

Rob and Christine...