Madrid, Baby.

Dearest Readers,
Now, being particularly situationally-aware individuals, you may have noticed the most excellent and awesome banner that has been gracing the pixel space of BadCatholic these past couple of days. It’s great; Pope Benny’s giving you that look that says “You said something mildly funny and I’ll acknowledge that, but straight up? I’m the Pope.” And, upon seeing this, you might have asked yourself, “Oh dearest self, why such a banner?” And the answer is simple. I am leaving with four friends to World Youth Day, in Madrid, with single-minded purpose of hanging out with the Pope.

This means, of course, that I am representing the entire United States of America, the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave, to the greater Catholic Church and to Europe as a whole. It is a tradition to bring some sort of national ‘give-away’, a representation of your homeland to trade with fellow pilgrims of different nationalities, little flags, stickers, wristbands and the like. So I’m bringing Freedom, F15 fighter jets, and the number 12 combo meal from McDonald’s. With large fries.

But in all seriousness, I am incredibly excited. I will bring all the unfortunate and bewildered readers of this blog in my prayers, offering up the papal mass for you and your intentions, touching various bones of various Saints with the desire that you might be healed of any hurts, strengthened in any weaknesses, and brought closer to the heart of Jesus Christ.