One of the great things about traveling is how dependent you are on the people you come across.
The unpredictable conditions of World Youth Day seemed to exacerbate this dependence. This story is about a few "Guardian Angels" God sent to me in my hour of need.
My small group had a slow and painful walk to the Vigil Mass – the climax of the week. It was hot, we were an exceptionally crowd-adverse group, and we were just worn out from weeks of travel and walking with packs. On top of that, we had a hard time finding a food pick-up center that still had food! After our second failed attempt, I looked at my weary group and decided to send most of them in to the Vigil and asked if one would join me in picking up food and bringing it in.
So, Steven and I went back the way we came, seeking provisions. At our FIFTH attempt, we finally met success and loaded up with food - the two of us carrying six people's food for two days. I don't think we thought through how heavy that would be!!! In addition to 4-5 meals' worth of food, each bag had a liter of water in it. It was all very heavy (I have done some rough calculations, and I was carrying at least 15 pounds of WATER).
Anyway, I was resigned to trudging along like that (and Steven wasn't complaining, of course!), when two young guys came up and asked if they could take my bag! Naturally, I said no, but they actually unfastened it and took it off of me! (I was gratified when they staggered under its weight and remarked how heavy it was...)
Manuel and Aurelio walked for about 45 minutes OUT OF THEIR WAY carrying my ridiculously heavy pack and cheerfully chatting away. Finally I sent them back, worried they'd be separated from their groups. They left us with hugs, promises of prayers, and a request that I pray for their future wives (!).
It's possible they were just two sweet young Spaniards. But I suspect they may have been our guardian angels.
- Sr. Agnes Therese Davis, T.O.R.
