More than 130,000 young people are already in Spain for Days at the Dioceses

Before the World Youth Day 2011 program begins on August 16, more than 130,000 young people from 137 countries of five continents have already arrived in Spain and were sent to different dioceses for get ready. The plan for these days includes; cultural activities, visits to historical places, moments of celebration and time for prayer at different sanctuaries in Spain.

MADRID, SPAIN (World Youth Day News) - More than 130,000 young people from around the world have already come to Spain to spend some days with young Spaniards as a preparation for World Youth Day.

The entire 65 dioceses, including the British and French Bayonne Gibraltar are welcoming pilgrims from 137 countries of five continents, Taiwan, Madagascar, Burkina Faso, South Africa, France, Belarus, Malawi, Nigeria, United States, Argentina, Qatar, New Zealand, Haiti, etc.

"The days at the Dioceses are a great way to prepare the WYD," stated Javier Igea, the responsible of the program. "These days have just started and in little time are renovating the youth who had come from all over the world and also to the young people living in the city."

The plan for these days varies from place to place, and integrates cultural activities, historical tours, moments of celebration and times of prayer and worship at the shrines that are part of local religious identity.

For example, the French pilgrims welcomed by the diocese of Oviedo were scheduled to visit the shrine of La Virgen de Covadonga. Meanwhile, the Italian delegation would also visit the shrine mentioned and the city of Santiago de Compostela, where they will visit the tomb of the Apostle Saint James.

The Dioceses are offering free accommodation to pilgrims in schools, parish centres, sports centres and private homes. The contribution of local authorities had been very positive.

In Valladolid city different spiritual and gastronomic activities and social volunteer will be held. Besides initiate pilgrims in the art of tapas, there will be a representation of a Via Crucis organized by the young men of the Old Fresno.

In other cities such as Guadalajara are the pilgrims who will participate organizing a Festival of Charisma. It will be an opportunity for the pilgrims themselves to disclose how they live their faith in their own countries and to get to know the culture and faith in Spain.

The pilgrims will be hosted by the families of the diocese, many of whom have participated in previous World Youth Days and were hosted by the families as well. The main idea is the pilgrims will enjoy the same experience as those in the past.

Patricia and George are a young married couple who are parents of a son who has decided to host three California pilgrims at his home in Guadalajara.

"We participated in WYD at Rome in 2000," they said, "and lived the Days in the Dioceses with families in the city of Imola. This WYD at Madrid is an opportunity for us to give back what we received ten years ago and for the pilgrims who will come a chance to live the experience of living with a host family."

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Young people who come from countries with greater economic difficulties are guaranteed a free program. This is the case of Ciudad Real where 230 Haitians will come to form part of the 2,000 foreign students participating in the program of the city of La Mancha.

One of the initiatives organized by the diocese is the approach of the pilgrims to the local culture. This will involve a representation of the typical local dishes as well as other examples of local culture with a performance of song and dance and a path to know the Easter Ciudadrealeńa at Madrid.

While in Castillo-La Mancha, the host volunteers of Cuenca have made very important efforts like picking up the pilgrims from Madrid in the early morning for the Days at the Dioceses. Avila, land of St. Teresa of Jesus, will promote activities around the figure of the famous saint.

For example, pilgrims can make a spiritual retreat called "Teresa of Jesus: Rooted and built up in Christ." They will also be able to admire the impressive architecture of the city wall with a sound and light show which will occur Saturday 13 August.

This initiative began in 1997 with World Youth Day in Paris because the Church in France wanted the entire country to participate in the welcome and host pilgrims from other countries. The experience was so positive that was adopted for the following WYD: Italy, Canada, Germany and Australia.

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