After being back in England for some time reality still hasn't quite hit!  In fact, my watch is still set to Brazilian time, that way it's easier to imagine what the amazing Brazilian friends we made might be doing.

WYD was truly a once in a lifetime experience and an absolutely wonderful one at that.  So much has been brought back from it.  From knowledge and a greater understanding of faith, our catechises, to new friends both from Brazil and from both ends of the diocese, not to mention the amazing memories.

I've been trying very hard to think of a best memory, but it's really very difficult because there are just so many, and not all of them are just from the trip.  When I got home and talked with people about the experience it hit me just what an amazing thing we had been part of and all the build up to get there.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped us in our fundraising either by time or donations or both.  We really appreciate how blessed we are to have such a wonderful parish and we hope can give something back to you, from our experiences, after you have given us so much.  We look forward to supporting our next WYD pilgrims!

The answer is the final Mass of WYD on Copacabana!

What an amazing night! All those people kipping on the beach, under the stars. Even if some of us only got a few hours of sleep there was a wonderful stillness across the beach.

In the morning we were gently awoken by the sun rising over the Sugar Loaf Mountain. If that didn't work, then at 7am the WYD theme began to play. As people stirred the snooze button was pressed and about 10 minutes later it was the first rehearsal for the Flash Mob. I managed this rehearsal from inside my sleeping bag!

Mass was beautiful. The Holy Father spoke beautifully. He was encouraging and challenging. He repeated that we must not be afraid to go out and make disciples, we go together as a community of faith, we go with Jesus.

At the end of Mass the Holy Father announced that the next WYD will take place in Krakow in 2016. Fr Jan, our Chaplain who Polish, was very pleased and excited by the news. In fact, the Pope could have said anywhere and I will be there. This experience has been truly amazing and I cannot wait to join another group as wonderful as this one has been at another WYD.

Three million young people from every corner of the world descended on to Copacabana beach.  The beach, in the past has seen many concerts and many crowds but none like the World Youth Day pilgrims.  The beach became a city, groups of pilgrims marked the areas where they would be sleeping and leaving their belongings with little walls of sand and flags acting as markers.  There were hundreds of little streets that you had to weave in and out of to find your group or play in the sea or use the facilities.  The atmosphere was incredible. 3 million young people united in heart, united in faith, united with their Holy Father.  

Before the Vigil there was plenty of opportunity to set out the sleeping bags, have a dip in the sea - the waves on Copacabana were incredible, the biggest I've ever seen.  I still have a few grazes from being dragged by the waves through the sand.  As the day rolled on we opened our lunch packs and ate our cat food (It was better than cat food but looked a bit like it and came from a tin!).  There were lots of different acts on the stage area from all over the world and these were interspersed by rehearsals for the worlds biggest flash mob!  Yes, I learned the dance!

About an hour before the Vigil you could feel the excitement rising.  Crowds headed up to the rails to be able to catch a glimpse of the Pope as he passed.  When he did come there was a huge amount of cheering, waving and chanting.

The Holy Father gave an address to all of us gathered on the beach.  Fr Jan and I sat among the pilgrims translating as the Pope spoke in Spanish.  His words were incredible, they are well worth reading and reflecting on - not just for young people.  At times it was hard to translate because I just wanted to listen and take it in - I think I gave the gist of it though!

After the Pope's address he lead us in a time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.  What a powerful moment, 3 million people all together adoring Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament.  To have that number of people in stillness, in quietness, in prayerfulness was amazing.  Once the Holy Father gave us Benediction we began our night under the stars, with the crashing of waves in our ears ready for World Youth Day itself and the final Mass.