As every year, the two fifth-grade classes from our school visited the Bishop of our Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante. This year, we went on May 8th. In addition to the students, Ms. Rosana, Mr. Pablo, and the school chaplain, Father Javier, also accompanied us. The visit was very special, unlike previous years, since we have had a new bishop in the diocese since September 2012, Monsignor Jesús Murgui. This was the first time the new bishop had met with students from the Lope de Vega International School.
Upon arriving at the bishop's residence in Alicante, we waited for Bishop Jesús in a large hall. Before receiving the bishop, Mr. Javier explained to us who the bishop was, what he did, and what it meant to be a bishop. At 10:30, we received Bishop Jesús, and a very moving and participatory meeting began. The students asked the bishop questions and expressed their doubts. One question in particular prompted him to share a very personal experience. A student asked, "Brother Jesús, when you were told you had been chosen to be a bishop, did you feel a lot of joy and excitement?" To which he replied, very moved, "When they called to tell me I had been chosen to be a bishop, my mother had recently passed away, and the truth is, this news frightened me a lot... I didn't see lights or hear angels singing, I would have liked to, but I was still very sad about my mother's death. But as soon as I placed myself in the Lord's hands, I calmed down and asked Jesus and the Virgin Mary for help."
Many questions were asked of Father Jesús, and finally it was the students themselves who told him the story of the Virgin of 
Suffrage in Benidorm. The bishop was impressed by the beautiful story and how well it was told. To conclude the visit, everyone sang the hymn to the patron saint of Benidorm before Bishop Jesús.
After visiting the bishop and having lunch, we went to the Monastery of the Holy Face of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Upon arriving at the Monastery, the chaplain, Father José Luis Casanova, was waiting for us. Together, in the Monastery square, he told us the entire history of the Monastery and the Holy Face. It was impressive to see how the students didn't miss a word of the priest's explanation. After learning the history, a magical and awe-inspiring moment arrived: it was time to see the reliquary containing the veil of Saint Veronica, with which she wiped the face of Christ on the way to Calvary. When the niche was opened, all the children were amazed to be able to contemplate this important relic. Finally, we prayed together that Jesus Christ would help us all to change our hearts and be better to our classmates.
