Three weeks ago I set off on an adventure I'd never dreamed of
Cuba has never been on my list
because of the embargo, and the restrictions on travel,
it just hadn't been a place I considered
Our group was 10 of us
Our trip leader, Rose Marie, and her 12 year old son Matthew
Myself, and 8 other young adults
None of us had been to Cuba before
Some with Cuban heritage, others just along for the adventure
Saturday, September 19th // My 22nd Birthday
We arrived in Cuba at 9am
We spent the day exploring Havana-- what a gorgeous city
It reminded me of Italy; so European, so colonial
The city was right on the ocean
That made it even more beautiful
We waited street side for two hours for Pope Francis' motorcade
Unfortunately I had a momentary lapse in judgement
I tried to video tape/ take photos on my phone as he drove by
Because of that, I missed actually experiencing the moment
It was still amazing
I was 10 feet away from Pope Francis in his Popemobile
On my 22nd birthday! What a way to spend it
I learned after that to put my phone down & experience these special moments
We also went to mass with Archbishop Wienski of Miami
My first bilingual mass
very beautiful in a stunning Cuban cathedral
Sunday, September 22nd // A Day To Remember
WE WENT TO MASS WITH POPE FRANCIS
if there were ever a time in my life where I wish I spoke spanish...
this was that day
It honestly didn't matter that I couldn't understand the words
Language barriers are no match for the Holy Spirit
Jesus was there
Pope Francis was there
300,000+ Cubans were there
I was there
To know that most of these people had never experience a mass before
had never heard the word of God before
never had the opportunity to learn about our Christian faith
and now...
the amount of faith, hope and love that was instilled in all of Cuba
absolutely incredible
I didn't even need to understand the words
I could feel it
After mass, we went to the place where the Pope would address the young people
We parked ourselves there all day to make sure we had a spot
After about 4 hours with 2 still left to go-- I decided to make my way to the front
It was hot, I was tired
There were 5,000 young adults sweating all over me
for a quick minute I forgot why I was there
I was consumed with agitation and annoyances
but Jesus quickly reminded me
I was there for Him
and as soon as Pope Francis came out in front of these young people
The excitement in them was so powerful
He spoke with such enthusiasm and passion
They responded with even more passion
I cried most of that hour
because when the Holy Spirit changes lives, you can feel it
I love my Cuban brothers and sisters
I'm honored I was able to experience those moments with them
Monday, September 21st // The Journey Home
Our last day in Cuba
We spent mass with the Cardinal of Boston
St. Teresa of Avila
Usually this church is not opened to the public
It was a special privilege that we were able to pray there during our trip
It is the home of the Carmelite Discalced Sisters
A group of cloistered nuns who have dedicated their lives to poverty and prayer
Generally people don't have the opportunity to meet them
or to pray with them
or to hear their angelic singing voices
We got to do all of those things
I love learning about and seeing how people love God in different ways
I find consecrated life fascinating and beautiful
This was a short, yet jam-packed with the Holy Spirit, weekend
Each moment is one I will always treasure
My favorite moment {if I had to choose}
was distributing over 400 rosaries
It was a bit overwhelming, honestly
Once people realized we were handing them out, we just about got mobbed
People grabbing at us and the rosaries from every direction
Lack of planning on our part... the rosaries were all tangled together
so everyone was grabbing and no one was getting anywhere
somehow they got distributed
but it was humbling to recognize that in the craziness was desperation
these people were so desperate
desperate for a rosary
desperate for Jesus
In Cuba they don't have the option of going to a store and buying a rosary or cross
They only just got the internet in January this year..
Us being able to provide them with a new way to pray in such a powerful way,
I am so thankful
Their faith is childlike, raw and without doubt
They've inspired me to continue spreading the Good News
Thank you Cuba
