If, for Father Sigurd, this will be the fourth World Youth Day, Shannon Benjamim lives up to the expectations of the first. With greater or lesser experience, both confess their anxiety to participate in this great event next week, in Lisbon. Until then, it's on Faro who are, coming from Denmark, with "love" as a point of union.
The Joaquim Magalhães Primary School is, since this Wednesday, July 26th, the property of about 150 young Danes, all from the Diocese of Copenhagen.
It's close to 10:00 am on Friday and, outside the school, everyone is getting ready for another day of activities. You can feel the excitement in the air.
In seconds, the vast group splits up: there are those who go to Praia de Faro, for an action to clean weeds, an invasive plant, and who stays around town, collecting cigarette butts.
It is with these that we go.
In Largo de S. Francisco, work is a lot, at a time when the Festa da Ria Formosa is taking place. Filip Beben is one of the most active. With a Danish flag tied to his backpack, he collects dozens of butts.
«Look, for me, I smoke, this is a great motivation to stop... or, at least, to see where the rubbish is», he says, between laughs.
Filip is 26 years old and has lived in Denmark for two years. He was born in Poland and this will be the second World Youth Day he participates in, after Krakow (2016) in his home country.
«The differences that I notice so far? Well, right from the start, the weather», he tells the Sul Informação.
The «hospitality» of the Portuguese is another point highlighted by Filip.
«The organization is excellent. It's the first time I've been to Portugal, but I'm amazed that they make me feel at home», he considers, as he finishes picking up another butt from the ground.
Next to him is Father Sigurd, one of the three priests accompanying the group.
«I am really enjoying this experience. There is an excellent atmosphere and an excellent spirit», says the priest.
Dressed in a red shirt, with the corners and armillary sphere of the Portuguese flag, Sigurd also tells how, in his opinion, Portugal planned «very well this week before the World Youth Day», through the Days in the Diocese.
«This is my fourth World Youth Day and it seems to me that there are more common activities that create a strong spirit within the group», he confesses.
Shannon Benjamim, 21, a newcomer to these wanderings, also speaks of this spirit.
«It has been great to get to know my colleagues better, but there is also a spiritual part that I feel is growing», he says, with a smile on his face.
In Denmark, a large part of the population is Protestant (about 88%). It is estimated that there are less than 1% of Catholics.
When she returns to her country, Shannon guarantees that she wants to tell her friends about the «fantastic» experience she is having. «Many of my friends do not know this spirit and I really want to share it».
The young Dane is also looking forward to seeing Pope Francis in Lisbon.
"Can not wait. All this gives a picture of the united church. Despite having come with no expectations, I feel that it has been really good to be close to these people and share our love”, she says.
From Largo de S. Francisco, the group advances towards the Centro Ciência Viva and Jardim Manuel Bivar, where they continue to collect cigarette butts. Their presence does not go unnoticed by those they come across, in Faro.
Fernando Gião is in charge of the group. He is 19 years old, he is a scout in São Bartolomeu de Messines and he volunteered to help with the Friday morning activities.
«I accepted because it is an experience and we have to live in the moment. I think it's great to have young people doing activities for the community », she explains.
Despite having only participated in yesterday's volunteer action, Fernando guarantees that it is being very «enriching». He, who is going to WYD, doesn't hide his enthusiasm for going to Lisbon either.
“I am very anxious because, in addition to the presence of the Pope, there will be various activities”, he says.
The group arrives at Jardim Manuel Bivar, where they will meet the other colleagues who have split up Faro.
Until Monday, the day they leave for WYD, there will still be fairs, a summer ball and an outdoor mass, at Estádio Algarve, with the approximately 7000 young people who are in the Algarve, in the “Days in the Diocese”.
For Lisbon, it will already take five days of experiences and «much love», an expression used by all.
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
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