EUROPE/SPAIN - Franciscans calling all youth from across Europe to join in a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

Rome (Agenzia Fides) – In honor of the 800th anniversary of their foundation, the Franciscan Friars of Europe are calling all youth from the “Old Continent” to Santiago de Compostela (Spain) for the II European Franciscan Meeting, with the slogan: “Good Path, Good People!” to communicate the values promoted by Saint Francis (faith, peace, dialogue, love for the poor, and respect for creation) to the next generations. In August 2007, in Assisi (Italy), the First Meeting took place and was attended by 1,000 youth from 19 European countries, to discover Saint Francis' contribution to the faith and to culture on our continent.
At this time in history, in which disorientation and uncertainty seem to have the last word, the Franciscan charism presents itself as a “bearer of hope,” promoting evangelizational initiatives for European youth, in order to work together in building a new culture of peace. The election of Santiago as host city for the II European Franciscan Meeting (August 9-15, 2009) enters into the thousand year-old tradition of pilgrimages to the Shrine. The event will surely be an opportunity for communion and for growth in the faith. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 26/3/2009)