Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santiago di Compostela (Fides Service) – Witnesses of Christ for a Europe of Hope is the slogan of the 2004 Pilgrimage of European Youth to Santiago di Compostela 5 to 8 August. Some 50.000 young people from various countries are expected to gather at the tomb of the Apostle Saint James on the occasion of the Santiago di Compostela Holy Year. Father Roberto Martínez, in charge of the Pilgrimage said the aim is to help young Christians from all over Europe to recognise and reflect on the Christians roots of their continent and to make a decisive commitment to building a Europe of Hope.
The pilgrimage will be articulated in two moments. From 31 Jul to 5 August there will be the arrival and welcome of groups of young pilgrims on foot following different routes. From 5 to 8 August there will be main events of the Pilgrimage of European Youth during which the participants will reflect on the Christian roots of Europe with the help of personalities of the world of religion, culture, economy, politics, music and art. During these days the young people will attend catechesis, conferences and visit to the city, before taking part in a prayer vigil and solemn Mass. During the vigil the young people will publicly voice their commitment to work to build a Europe of Hope: the text of this commitment will give continuity to the pilgrimage all over the world when the young people return home.
On the occasion of the Compostela Holy Year 2004, the Archbishop of Santiago, Archbishop Julián Barrio, issued a long pastoral letter: “Pilgrims for Grace”, in which the passage on the conversation of the Lord “the Father’s pilgrim of grace” with the disciples of Emmaus becomes to image of “Christian pilgrimage in post-Christian Europe”. In his letter the Archbishop says “pilgrimage can be a privileged moment on the personal path of the person of faith”, “a privileged time and place for discovery, discernment and conversion”. Among the themes developed in the letter, particular attention is given to the contribution in the centuries offered by the pilgrimage to Santiago di Compostela to the unity and integration of Europe. This is why Mgr Barrio stresses the “ constitutive and constituent value” of pilgrimage “for building the only Europe possible: one with its roots in Christian tradition with which it is profoundly impregnated in every fibre”. (R.G.) (Fides Service 10/2/2004; lines 28 - words 362)
