On the Road at Dawn to Pray with the Pope

In the early morning hours at the Parco Nord volunteers are already working, sleepy children and couples who are "veterans" of these large church gatherings are up and there are those for whom “Family” is their first big experience: all are awaiting the great concluding Mass.

On the final day of Family 2012, the groups of pilgrims wake up slowly, as if waiting for the sunrise. Up until five the army of volunteers is almost alone at the area of ??Milan Parco Nord - Aeroporto di Bresso, where the concluding mass will be celebrated. Some got up before four o'clock in order to be ready, and now can enjoy a few last moments of tranquility in the chairs behind the stage trying to snatch some rest. They joke with their team leaders who call them, "We will only move for the Pope!"

On the grass there are already several families, the most determined and courageous ones, who last night after the Feast of Testimonies pitched tents, convinced that the best place to sleep was there in the park. Here the protagonists are children. It is they who, more or less sleepy, make it clear how close the time of the celebration is.  Some are in tents so tiny they seem toys. The youngest, who last night were certain; "we can play now, and tomorrow we will play again" - are now sunk in sleep, while parents take care of breakfast. For many it is their first experience of a night spent with their children out of their beds at home. A couple from Novara with four children aged 8 years and under, are veterans of World Youth Days and were eager to experience the first "Day" with their children.

While struggling with sleepiness, little by little the pilgrims arrive in the park. Among the first, shortly after four, come a husband and wife from Mantua. For them, who have a counter in a local market, it is not a problem to wake up early. Then there are the foreign delegations. A small group of Venezuelans came with their children in arms, wrapped in blankets: they attended the International Theological-Pastoral Congress since Tuesday, and now you are sitting in the front row seats reserved for them.

Little by little, the spaces are filled, and the pieces of the puzzle come together with various groups. Most are Italians, but there are also many Spaniards, Portuguese, English, and tons of South Americans. As time goes by, sleep gives way to anticipation and preparation for mass. Some have breakfast, others, the Filipinos, are standing ready with booklets of prayers and would like to press forward towards the stage to be sure to see Benedict XVI. Expectations are very high, because, all agree, today's celebration is the culmination of many intense and exciting days.

While the priests arrive, sound tests begin, the pilgrims entering the park becomes a large flow. Most surprising is the tranquility of the families. The joy of the moment is in the eyes of all. They are thankful for the great reception during these days. The last to get up are young couples, as is often true of those newly in love. The most “experienced” parents, however, are not carried away by the adventure of being away from home. They are the most organized, and this Sunday morning, see this as a great experience with their families. And, now, all are ready for the concluding celebration.