From Mumbai to Madrid, "the witnesses of our faith," going to Rome and Lourdes
by Nirmala Carvalho
One million young people are expected at World Youth Day (16-21 August). Of these, 1,732 are officially registered from India. The testimony of a young Indian Catholic, "excited to be an ambassador of our nation" to "always remember our Christian roots." It will be his first international trip.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - "I am thrilled to be part of Christian fellowship, to participate in a meeting with young people from around the world, to share our love for the Church and the pope ... we will witness a cultural exchange that goes beyond all boundaries, that is part of something bigger than our own individual existence”. These are the words of a young Indian Catholic, Mikhail Carvalho, who is headed to World Youth Day in Madrid (16-21 August) along with other young people just like him. From Mumbai to Madrid, via Rome and Lourdes, a long awaited pilgrimage for this young man, his first trip outside India. They prepared for the journey not without some difficulty, since the visas arrived only two days before their departure.
World Youth Day this year has reached a record 420,508 registrations total, but perhaps a million people are expected. For India, 1,732 students have registered. In general, the official numbers are encouraging - about 86 thousand from Italy, Spain 82 thousand – and in particular the numbers are striking for Christians who are experiencing dramatic situations: 3,474 from Pakistan, 636 from Syria, 328 from China (15 young people will be in Madrid thanks AsiaNews), 451 Egypt, 60 from Libya.
"For many of us - Mikhail tells AsiaNews – its our first international trip, we attended several courses in preparation for the event. We have explained the value of being ambassadors for our nation, and always remembering our Christian roots. "
Before Madrid, the group will visit Rome. "One of my greatest wishes - said the young man - is to feel part of world history and the early Church." In addition to the Coliseum, "where the early Christians were martyred," the group already has a reservation to celebrate a Mass in St. Peter’s basilica "to confirm our faith at the tomb of the apostle Peter - says Mikhail - waiting to hear the words of the Holy Father in Madrid and to be ‘planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in faith,' the theme of World Youth Day this year. "
Finally it will be the turn of Lourdes, where they will celebrate a Mass at the Marian shrine: "In a providential light - notes the young man with joy - our path to the cave of Massabielle will take place in the same period in which John Paul II (creator of the World Youth Day, Ed ) made his pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2004. "
World Youth Day this year has reached a record 420,508 registrations total, but perhaps a million people are expected. For India, 1,732 students have registered. In general, the official numbers are encouraging - about 86 thousand from Italy, Spain 82 thousand – and in particular the numbers are striking for Christians who are experiencing dramatic situations: 3,474 from Pakistan, 636 from Syria, 328 from China (15 young people will be in Madrid thanks AsiaNews), 451 Egypt, 60 from Libya.
"For many of us - Mikhail tells AsiaNews – its our first international trip, we attended several courses in preparation for the event. We have explained the value of being ambassadors for our nation, and always remembering our Christian roots. "
Before Madrid, the group will visit Rome. "One of my greatest wishes - said the young man - is to feel part of world history and the early Church." In addition to the Coliseum, "where the early Christians were martyred," the group already has a reservation to celebrate a Mass in St. Peter’s basilica "to confirm our faith at the tomb of the apostle Peter - says Mikhail - waiting to hear the words of the Holy Father in Madrid and to be ‘planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in faith,' the theme of World Youth Day this year. "
Finally it will be the turn of Lourdes, where they will celebrate a Mass at the Marian shrine: "In a providential light - notes the young man with joy - our path to the cave of Massabielle will take place in the same period in which John Paul II (creator of the World Youth Day, Ed ) made his pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2004. "
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See also
Pope meets with sex abuse victims
21/07/2008
21/07/2008
