WYD 2011: Day Two (but with no sleep on the plane, wouldn’t it still be Day One?)

We stepped off the plane to joyful music, palm trees, and our tour guides, Teresa and Jose. We were directed to our tour bus, which we rode all around Lisbon to get a feel for the city. Despite the narrow cobblestone streets, European architecture, and the inability to comprehend the road signs, it hasn’t quite sunk in that we are actually in Portugal. Speaking of language barriers, ordering lunch was quite the adventure to say the least. After asking the question, “What did you have for lunch?” “I dunno…” was a common response. After lunch, we did some street shopping and hopped back on the bus for some more “sightseeing,” aka much needed nap time. Naptime was abruptly ended when the bus had jerked to a stop and half the group was getting off. As disoriented as we were at first, we were able to experience a Eucharistic miracle that had occurred in the 1200’s. One day, a priest gave communion to a woman who took the host home and put it in a box. Light began to pour out of the box and upon opening it, the woman discovered that the host was bleeding. While we were at the Shrine of the Most Holy Miracle of Santarem today, we were given the opportunity to see the host that is still preserved in a monstrance. After we left the Shrine of the Most Holy Miracle of Santarem, we were given some time to explore both a nearby cathedral and local pastry and ice cream shops. Refreshed, we got back on the bus and after a 40 minute drive, arrived at our hotel in Fatima. After a group dinner and Mass, we are ready for a good night sleep, our first in 30 hours! See you tomorrow!