'CORPUS CRISTI' IN TOLEDO, SPAIN

This past week Sister Bake and I (along with the other senior couples in Spain) were invited to a conference put on by the Area Advisors for the JAS (YSA--Young Single Adults).  The conference was planned to coincide with the 'festivo' (festival--holy day) of Corpus Cristi (body of Christ) in Toledo, Spain.  This festivo is celebrated here to a greater degree than in any other Spanish city, I believe.
 
The whole world was there on Thursday, the day of our conference!!  You need to Google up the name Corpus Cristi, to find out some of the traditions that are practiced there.  Obviously being a major Catholic rite, the celebration (procession) began at the main square in town (Plaza de Zocodover) and wound down those nifty, narrow streets all the way to the Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada, the magnificent Catholic Church of Toledo.  It was shoulder-to-shoulder all the way.  We had to keep an eye on each other, so as to not get separated.  Fun!!!

The cobblestone streets were strewn with some sort of herb, that when trodden upon, gave off a sage-like smell.  With all the people doing the trodding, there was plenty of smell in the air.  The balconies were draped with banners and ribbons and all sorts of lights, and the main path of the procession was covered, high up, between buildings, with a wide and long (very long) piece of what looked like canvas, from the Plaza, all the way to, and around the Cathedral.

We were able to be in a good spot to observe as the people in the procession came near and then enter into the Cathedral.  The pageantry and color and excitement in the faces of the participants was enough to make one want to be a part of it.  Those in the festivo ranged in ages from young to old, and from dignitaries to commoners.   Even  the military took part.

Beautiful, stately,  Spaniard woman.

The Cathedral was the centerpiece of the day, but we common guys did not have a chance to go in on this particular day.  We had to return the next day in order to get a tour.  Wow!!  What an experience!!  The main chapel is 120 meters long, and 60 meters wide.  Construction began in 1227 and was not completed until 300 years later.  That length of time will account for the two different styles of architecture--Gothic, and then more modern.

Here is some of the Gothic stuff.

Below are some shots from inside:

This is one of many side 'chapels'--on either side of the main one.

Some of the ceiling work!!

Ornate work that must have taken years to complete!

Each side of the main chapel looks like this--there are 81 columns!!

This wall contained 7 large murals--some with scenes from the life of Christ, others with historical themes.

Some who pushed the work along were able to be buried here.

Columns, glass-work, and side chapels.

The treasure room houses many of the Catholic Church's artifacts of gold, silver and gems.  The crowns were the main ones that 'spoke' to me:

The photo does not do them justice!!

Now, back to the reason for being there in the place.  Young Single Adults (ages 18 to 30) are at great risk in Spain.  Work is hard to come by.  Discouragement can set in rather easily, and discouragement can lead to despair and hopelessness.  The conference allowed different couples from different regions of Spain to share ideas of what they had done to keep their YSA encouraged and active in Church activities.  My part was to inform the others about the work of the Self-Reliance Center in Madrid: how we teach and train them to create good resumes, and how to project themselves as the best candidate for the jobs they are seeking.  When they leave our office they know how to be prepared for the job interview and how to respond with positive statements about their abilities.  

An example:  Dani, a middle-aged man who had worked in security jobs, but had not worked for nearly two years now, came into the center about the same time as Sister Bake and I.  Our center director has worked very tirelessly in helping Dani know how to go about looking for work and learn how to correspond with different companies, and to create a powerful resume.  These abilities do not come naturally to him, and it was difficult to get him to open his mouth and appear confidant.  This last week, he had identified a company that he wanted to work for, and sent them an introduction letter, along with his resume.  They told him that the opening was already filled, but that they wanted him to come in anyway, because they were impressed with his professional-looking application and resume!  He interviewed--it went better than expected--did not get the job--but they wanted him to be available because they knew they would need him in the future.  He said that they were very impressed with how he presented himself, and that they wanted to stay in touch.  He returned the next day to our office and was full of excitement and was encouraged for the possibility of possible employment in the near future.  It was the most success he had had in two years.  

If we can teach, and train, and help others to become self-reliant, rather than to depend on others for their well-being, we will have saved a generation.  That is the miracle of self-reliance!!

We are loving the Spanish people!  Except for the sound of their words, they are just like me, wanting the best for themselves and  their families.  Beautiful people.  Even though we have been here for just over a month, and we do miss our families, some of these wonderful people will be hard to say good by to.

Lucy has gone to Peru to visit her family.  She comes back at the end of this month.  We want you to meet her.  She is the embodiment of love and service.   Seventeen years ago she was told that she had 3 months to live.  She was given a priesthood blessing, and a promise from her mom.  Her mom read her a scripture and told her that she would live if she would serve others.  She is doing that every day.  A truly wonderful lady!  I am blessed by her example.  We will introduce you when she comes back.