Local Madrid bar-restaurant offers WYD-goers coffee with churros at 1 Euro

When Miguel Ángel heard that Benedict XVI was coming to Madrid, he thought “if pilgrims and the Pope are coming to town, we’ll have to give them our best.” That’s why during the week of WYD, “Casa Sotero” will offer all WYD participants its specialty – coffee with churros – at 1 euro.

Miguel Ángel and Pilar in their bar-restaurant, “Casa Soteros”

It was while he was visiting the website, madrid11.com, and observing the many business partners of WYD that Miguel came up with this idea of not only contributing as a volunteer in his parish, but also at a company level. They went down to WYD headquarters in Plaza de San Juan de la Cruz and said: "We're here for whatever you need!".

Miguel’s parish of “Nuestra Señora del Espino” in Madrid’s Tetuán district, along with the other churches in the area, will be hosting about 500 Italian pilgrims. The area is preparing to welcome an estimated 5,000 young people who will come with their joy, laughter, and good humor. So, they are preparing themselves to offer a daily breakfast to the crowds.

Of their two children, the eldest – age 11 – is filled with excitement. Laura would have liked to be a volunteer, but not being old enough, she is willing to work wherever she is needed.

During the week of World Youth Day, they are considering the possibility of closing the bar-restaurant on some of the evenings in order to attend the ceremonies.

Miguel’s wife, Pilar Montalbán, is hoping that this WYD will challenge her and the entire city of Madrid to grow in their faith. She also sees WYD as a unique opportunity to show today’s world what having faith is all about. Both see WYD as a great gift to Spain.