Walking together on the roads of Europe: the Iberian Peninsula, destination of the pilgrimage of young people

"During the recent ad limina visits of the Spanish Bishops, youth, popular piety and pilgrimages were often mentioned. There is a strong link between these themes, since young people are the protagonists of various initiatives that take place in the streets of cities and villages in Spain, especially during strong liturgical seasons and patronal feasts. Wouldn't this be a sign of vitality from which to restart, especially in times that we hope will soon lead us to the post-pandemic stage?", asks Fr. João Chagas, head of the Youth Office of our Dicastery. Moreover, as Pope Francis well reminds us in Christus vivit, "The various manifestations of popular piety, especially pilgrimages, attract young people who do not fit easily into ecclesial structures" (no. 238). This is what is happening concretely this year with the invitation to young people from all over the European continent to participate in the European Youth Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela”. This pilgrimage will take place next August as part of the Holy Year of Compostela. The European Pilgrimage, together with the World Youth Day to be held in Lisbon in the first week of August 2023, make the Iberian Peninsula a source of hope for the Church and for young people. They are an opportunity for true spiritual renewal after (we hope!) the many challenges related to the global health emergency.

"These two events offer an opportunity not only for Spanish and Portuguese youth ministry, but also for Europe and the universal Church. In his last message to young people for the Solemnity of Christ the King last year, the Holy Father said that humanity will not rise again without young people. Only with them will we regain the ability to dream and to translate these dreams into concrete life choices," says Fr. Chagas.

The PEJ 2022 European Youth Pilgrimage will take place from next August 2-7. More information can be found on the official website: http://www.pastoraldejuventud.es/pej22-en/

Meanwhile, preparations are proceeding for the next WYD in Lisbon 2023, whose theme is: "Mary got up and went in haste" (Luke 1:39). See the website https://www.lisboa2023.org