They were days of sharing and communion among the thousand pilgrims who, in the last week, painted the city of Loulé with the colors of their countries. This was one of the Portuguese towns to receive the initiative “Days in the Diocese”, in preparation for the World Youth Day that starts this Tuesday, in Lisbon.
Coming from Poland, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Kuwait and France, the young people – and also some religious, acolytes, scouts, coordinators, volunteers, security forces or even medical emergency support personnel – arrived in Loulé on the 26th, to participate in a program of activities created with the purpose of making known the city, its culture and heritage, the specificities of the local Church, but also to do good and allow deepening the spiritual side of these pilgrims.
“Fratelli Tutti – Todos Irmãos”, an expression that gives its name to Pope Francis' Encyclical, well represents the spirit of fraternity and friendship that was lived in these days and throughout the various activities that took place in Loulé.
One of these moments took place on the 27th, Thursday, with a meeting to share cultures at Largo do Monumento Engº Duarte Pacheco, a space where the main actions converged.
That night, the Polka was danced, the rhythms of Bavaria were heard, the melodies sung in Italian, and the dances presented by Kuwait, a country that was represented by elements born in India, the Philippines and other Asian countries.
The good mood of the Kuwaitis stood out during this pre-Journey and, despite being the smallest group, it was certainly the one that stood out the most due to the enthusiasm of its elements. Wherever they went, they shouted “Loulé, Loulé, Loulé!”, leaving many smiles on the streets.
Friday morning was “Time to do Good”, with various volunteer actions carried out by pilgrims in various IPSS in the municipality, in addition to participation in environmental initiatives.
They talked and danced with the users of Existir, played bingo and made handicrafts with the elderly at the Lar da Santa Casa da Misericórdia, painted a mural at the EB1 Manuel Alves School with the children who are part of the “Caminhos” project of the António Aleixo Foundation, cleaned the garbage along the Cadoiço stream, among other actions.
Among the pilgrims who walked on the ground, that morning, there was a very special group from Tuscany, Italy, who visited the Creche da Nova Terra. This is the community of Nomadelfia, a small town of Catholic volunteers who live together, in the image of the first Christian communities, with a Constitution inspired by the Gospel, with a population of 300 people and 60 families available to be host families and adoption of children. An example already recognized by Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis.
At the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Piedade, pilgrims left their mark, on a mural painted by a group that will perpetuate this passage through Loulé. It is a work that enshrines the great motto of this pilgrimage, “Pilgrims with Mary, Mother of Unity and Peace”.
Friday night will have been one of the highlights of these days: an out-of-season recreation of the Mother Sovereign procession, allowing these young people to experience a little of what is the largest religious manifestation in the south of Fátima.
It was a night full of emotions, not only for the pilgrims who experienced something unique, but also for the people of Loulé who accompanied the ascent of the litter along the steep slope. A very special occasion that constitutes an exception during the almost 500 years of this tradition, as the image only leaves its Chapel during the Festival. Many cheers to the Sovereign Mother, chanted in unison by the pilgrims and the faithful who joined the moment.
Saturday morning was filled with many sporting activities in the Municipal Park, which included the participation of some local clubs. Young people had the opportunity to try out rugby, gymnastics, zumba, tennis, martial arts and much more, and it was yet another occasion to strengthen the bonds of friendship that were consolidated over these days.
As it happened during the night, with dinner and a festival, in which the pilgrims tasted some traditional dishes such as xerém, grilled sardines or gazpacho, in some cases flavors quite different from those of their country of origin, but which everyone liked.
On Sunday, it was at Estádio Algarve that these thousand pilgrims joined the others who had been to the region, for a joint Eucharist presided over by the Bishop of the Algarve, D. Manuel Quintas.
The Stadium lawn was filled with people from the four corners of the world, from Korea to Cape Verde, from Mexico to Zimbabwe, from Canada to Argentina, with the colors of the different flags giving a unique color. This was followed by a concert with the Catholic band Gen Verde, ending this pre-Jornada in the south of the country in the best possible way.
Yesterday morning was the farewell of the pilgrims to Loulé, a land that has welcomed them heart and soul in these days. Its presence will leave a mark on the city and its inhabitants, as stressed by mayor Vítor Aleixo.
“Receiving in Loulé, within the framework of the World Youth Days, this very happy representation, made up of pilgrims from 6 countries, is, in fact, an unrepeatable event and one that will remain etched in the memory of this city and its citizens for a long time. Everything went very well, with a record degree of organization, and the pilgrims brought a lot of joy to our city. We are a friendly, welcoming people who cultivate friendship among all. I would really like these young people to be able to return to their countries with a longing to return to Portugal and Loulé”, said the mayor of Loulé.
Carlos Aquino, parish priest of the city, highlighted the “great support and contribution from the Municipality of Loulé, in the first place, but also from all the social, cultural and sports institutions in the city that opened from the beginning, with an extraordinary welcome and a very expressive volunteering to this event”.
As for these pilgrims who are now traveling to Lisbon, the priest left his impression: “They are already present, but they will certainly be the future of our world and our cities. These young people tell us that you can be happy without walking down obscure, inauthentic paths of slavery, and they show this in their own lives”.
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