Mallorca Songs of Praise

-ARCHIVE:

-It's here again, that time to start thinking about faraway places

with strange-sounding names.

Majorca is a favourite with British package tourists.

New hotels mushroom all over the island.

The Spanish island of Majorca has long been

a popular resort for British holiday-makers.

These days, it's an island of sharp contrast.

On the one hand, a tranquil retreat

of medieval villages and sandy coves.

MUSIC BLARES

On the other, a neon-lit hotspot of nightclubs and bars.

Yes!

I'm in Magaluf to meet the Street Angels,

Christians who volunteer to give a helping hand

to those whose night out has become a nightmare.

-Are you the Angels of Magaluf?

-Yeah.

God bless you, God bless you all.

-Here you go.

-Thank you, thank you.

On the other side of the island, I find out how the discovery

of a Madonna statue turned this into a place of pilgrimage.

And I'm here in Cumbria, at a very special wedding,

where the bride and groom have a combined age of 188.

Did you ever think you would fall in love again at this age?

Yes, I did.

THEY LAUGH

Our hymns and songs, old and new, come from around the UK,

but we begin on the Costa del Sol, where, in 2008,

Graham Kendrick led a sunny Spanish Songs Of Praise celebration.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Magaluf, on the south-west coast of Majorca.

By day, its beaches are filled with holiday-makers

enjoying the white sand and surf.

But as the sun sets,

attention shifts to the Punta Balena strip of nightclubs and bars.

In the evening, this place becomes the party capital of the island.

And for young Brits, if not careful, harmless fun can get out of hand.

Magaluf!

And that's where the Street Angels come in,

a group of Christians who provide practical and pastoral help

wherever it's needed.

I joined them as they prepared to go out on the streets.

So if there's an incident, make sure three of you are together.

Do not do anything solo.

Even if it's somebody across the road dying, believe me,

make sure somebody's there and say, "Let's go over there together."

Because we don't want to be isolated, it just invites trouble.

THEY CHANT

We aim to finish at 7, 7:30, unless there's something that goes on.

So, please, try to aim to be back by 7:30 latest.

MUSIC BLARES

Before joining Street Angels, Jason was a DJ in Magaluf.

I had a great time, great nights, great parties, but, like,

if there was somebody in the corner passed out and really needing help,

I couldn't, like, go out, leave my station.

So I tried it one night with the Street Angels and, er...

I thought, "This is it." I don't know how to explain it.

You get a buzz from it.

The Holy Spirit kind of pretty much touches you, so...

Calm before the storm, Jason, that's what this is.

The calm before the storm, yeah.

For some people, it's just a night out,

but do you think this is going to be

a life-changing and eye-opening night for me,

-as a Street Angel for the first time?

-Definitely.

I think it is...

I mean, we are in the business of seed-scattering here.

I always say, like, you know, we never know what's going to happen,

but we do believe that people are experiencing God's love

through us and are touched by the spirit.

I'm super-nervous, I don't know about you.

But you're a pro, you've done this lots.

Yeah, I've done it a couple of times, definitely.

Let's just see what God is saying and what he's going to do tonight.

Later in the programme,

I experience for myself a typical night out with the Street Angels.

# Yeah, yeah, yeah

# What do you think about life?

# I love it

# Uh-huh

# What do you think about Christ?

# I love him

# Do you believe that he died

# To save me?

# That's what he did

# And I, I tell you he lives

-# Lean in

-Lean in

-# Lean out

-Lean out

-# Breathe in

-Breathe in

-# Breathe out

-Breathe out

-# Back it up

-Back it up

-Back it up

-Back it up

# Back it up, I say

# What do you think about life?

# I love it

# Uh-huh huh

# Well, what do you think about Christ?

# I love him

# Do you believe that he died to save me?

# That's what he did

# And I, I tell you he lives

-# Lean in

-Lean in

-# Lean out

-Lean out

-# Breathe in

-Breathe in

-# Breathe out

-Breathe out

-# Back it up

-Back it up

-# Back it up

-Back it up

# Back it up, I say

-# Now, whosoever

-Whosoever

-# Drinks of the water

-Drinks of the water

-# Then I shall give him

-Then I shall give him

# There'll come a spring of

# Everlasting life... #

Get ready...

# Uh-huh, oh, yeah

-# Lean in

-Lean in

-# Lean out

-Lean out

-# Breathe in

-Breathe in

-# Breathe out

-Breathe out

-# Back it up

-Back it up

-# Back it up

-Back it up

# Back it up, I say

# Living waterfall

# Holy spirit, let your

# Living waterfall

# Spirit, let your living waterfall... #

Hey!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

In the north-west of Majorca is one of the island's most sacred places.

Here, in the 13th century, a young shepherd called Lluc

is said to have found a statue of the Virgin Mary

amongst the rocks of a mountain stream.

It was taken to a nearby church, and the next day,

when people came to visit the statue,

it had disappeared, and mysteriously it was found

back in the stream where Lluc had first discovered it.

It was decided to leave the statue where it was found,

but on the site, this sanctuary was built.

Hola!

Que tal? Muy bien.

Now, people come from all over to see the statue of the Black Madonna.

-TRANSLATION:

-Well, the statue of the Virgin continues to attract people,

even after 700 years.

As you can see, this area is beautiful,

but there's also a feeling of spirituality

that we all carry within us.

If I may say, my heart is moved more by this image than any other

in Majorca, or the world.

Many people, especially those who came here as children

and are now older, feel the same about the Virgin of Lluc.

Lluc Monastery is also famous for its music school,

with its children's choir dating back to the 16th century.

Twice a day, the choir sings at Mass.

A mechanism turns the statue of the Black Madonna from its

anteroom to the chapel, where it's revealed to the congregation,

pilgrims who have come here, like many before them,

across the centuries.

HARP MUSIC

# Ave Maria

# Gratia plena

# Dominus tecum

# Benedicta tu

# In mulieribus

# Et benedictus

# Fructus ventris

# Tui, Iesus

# Sancta Maria

# Sancta Maria

# Sancta Maria

# Ora pro nobis

# Nobis peccatoribus

# Nunc et in hora

# Mortis nostrae

# Amen

# Amen. #

The island of Majorca has been the location for many a holiday romance.

You don't need to be on holiday to find love,

and you certainly don't need to be young either,

as Pam Rhodes has been finding out.

Well, look at me all dressed up for a very special occasion.

This is Whitehaven in Cumbria,

and I have come to meet a wonderful couple,

Bernard and Margaret, who, when they get married in a few hours' time,

will surely become the world's oldest newlyweds...

..because the bride is 95 years old,

and her fiance is a relative toy boy at a mere 93.

But the story of this wedding begins almost 70 years ago.

Back in 1950, when Bernard married his first wife, Dorothy,

Margaret was bridesmaid.

In the years that followed, they stayed in touch.

Dorothy had dementia for five years.

I used to visit her every day.

This one particular day, on my way there,

I had a car crash,

which resulted in this neck problem I have got.

I'd been in hospital about two or three hours,

and my son came in to say that Dorothy had just died.

I would've been with her, if I'd managed to get there,

but it was just too late.

Bernard and Margaret lost touch with each other.

And this story could have had a very different ending,

if it weren't for Margaret's detective skills.

I thought, "He's either died or he's moved,"

and I wrote a letter to his neighbour

and said, would they tell me where he was?

And the next thing was, I had a phone call from Bernard.

And a telephone romance blossomed.

Here comes the bride, look.

Then, before last Christmas, I realised that

for me it was more than friendship.

And I thought, "It's not protocol.

"I can't tell him."

So I went to Orkney on holiday and I had to forget him

and it didn't work.

And then this little voice came into my head, and it kept saying,

"Tell him!"

I rang him up and I said,

"I've got something to tell you, and I just had to say I love you."

He said something ridiculous like, "Oh, it's obvious!"

And then I didn't hear anything for the next couple of days.

If either of you knows a reason why you may not lawfully marry,

you must declare it now.

I could guess from the way she was with me

that she still felt something about me.

And it just suddenly dawned on me that I loved this lady.

Did you ever think you would fall in love again at this age?

Yes, I did.

Yes, I did, and it was Margaret I was thinking about.

Margaret, I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage.

And then he rang me up and he quoted that song,

"I just called to say I love you."

She knew what I meant.

And we decided there and then to get married.

She's very, very caring, thoughtful, completely unselfish.

That's it.

We share the same sense of humour, which helps a lot.

And I'm able to be perfectly honest with him,

and I know he will be honest with me.

Bernard, I give you this ring...

-As a sign of our marriage.

-As a sign of our marriage.

For better or worse, in sickness and in health,

this man will be there for me.

Yes.

I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife.

APPLAUSE

All right, Dad?

I think it's living out, not only our personal faith,

but our combined faith now.

And what are you looking forward to most about being married?

Loving each other.

I'll just get a couple more.

And here's one of the hymns chosen by the happy couple.

In the centre of Magaluf, it's 4am. The party has been going all night.

I'm with the Street Angels,

Christians ready to give a helping hand wherever it's needed.

We're kind of in the hubbub now.

-You're pretty much in the centre of Magaluf right now.

-OK.

-Yeah.

I just want to wrap everyone in cotton wool.

They look like they're going to hurt themselves any second.

There's more than one group of Street Angels

out on the strip tonight, including a team led by Gary Napier.

So, what you'll probably see is people passed out, asleep,

but you'll see them sitting on the pavement, just gone.

If we don't wake them up soon enough, they'll probably

find that their wallet's been stolen, their phone.

-You lost your passport?

-Yes.

Lost my passport, all my money, everything I own.

The map, right, I'm not being funny, but the map...

This isn't even a map, it's basically a drawing...

I think it's being where people are out,

being prepared to help in their need.

We're not there to ram the Bible down people's throats.

The only reason why we're doing this is because of our faith,

and our faith's in Jesus Christ.

-I didn't have a clue where I was going at all.

-I could tell.

Thank you so much.

I'm discovering that the Street Angels provide help

in unexpected ways, like providing flip-flops for sore feet.

-I've got bunions.

-Are these dancing injuries?

-Yes, I'm a dancer.

-Right, so that's why.

-My feet hurt.

-Here we go.

New out of the packet for you!

I've got Havianas! You're an actual diamond.

-What's your name?

-Emily.

-Nice to meet you.

It's lovely to meet you, give us a hug.

Enjoy your night.

What also surprises me is how many people are aware of the

Street Angels, and appreciate what they do.

-Are you the Angels of Magaluf?

-Yes.

-God bless you. God bless you all.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

Everything you do is much appreciated, because one day,

I will probably need you, you know what I mean?

-Well, hopefully not tonight.

-I'm 18 today, like.

-Happy birthday!

Happy birthday!

-Are you OK?

-Yes.

-All right, cool.

There's nothing wrong with saying, "Excuse me, are you OK?"

If they say, "Yes, I'm fine," they're fine.

-But if they're not, then it'll be pretty obvious.

-Is he...?

-Is he your friend?

-Is he all right, guys?

-You're looking after him?

Cool.

This man is unable to stand,

and isn't responding to his friends' efforts to help him.

-She didn't want any help, that one.

-Steffi offers some practical advice.

Hold him like this, and here, and then you have his whole weight here.

Then you can hold him there, yes?

-That's it.

-OK?

-Yes, that's good.

That friend was really lucky because he had good friends sticking around,

and we pray that friends won't leave friends,

and it's been lovely to see.

Quite frankly, he just needs to sleep, because it just takes time.

But sometimes, people find themselves completely alone,

disorientated and lost.

-When you woke up they were gone?

-Well, I was fast asleep.

When we saw him, he was just staggering,

so we clearly could tell that he was lost.

Yeah, it's down there.

It's very easy for people to say, "Well, they've done it to themselves,

"they've got drunk, why are you bothering?"

But Jesus bothers with everyone, there's no distinction with him.

We're all his children, and he cares for every one of us.

And he says he goes out to look for his lost sheep

and he doesn't go home until he brings them home.

-Guys, we survived the night. The sun is up. What time is it?

-It's 6:15.

6:15. I feel quite awake for 6:15.

It was a good night, wasn't it?

It was good, it was good.

We are needed here, as you can probably guess.

You really are needed, and I've got to say,

this hi-vis jacket made all the difference.

Just going up to someone.

Yes, it's pretty much like putting on the armour of God,

wearing these jackets.

What do we do, what do we do? What's the thing?

-Let's just hug. Yeah!

-Group hug!

-Yeah!

That's it from the island of Majorca.

It's been fascinating to see the contrast in life here.

Whether it's a sanctuary in the mountains,

or the Street Angels doing their work,

faith is at its heart.

Next week, David climbs aboard the famous Settle to Carlisle line.

But we end today with a classic hymn from husband and wife duo

Keith and Kristyn Getty.