SW News: Families across Portugal have begun welcoming young pilgrims from around the world who are arriving in droves to take part in World Youth Day. More than 4,900 young men and women arrived in the Diocese of Aveiro on July 26 from 14 nations.

Members of the group were accommodated in various parishes. Bishop António Monteiro of Aveiro interacted with the pilgrims in Cacia. While welcoming them, the prelate expressed happiness that his diocese was able to provide hospitality to the attendees of WYD. He also emphasized that the objective of the youth gathering is to evangelize. Vilarinho, Sao Lourenco and Ois do Bairro are some of the parishes accommodating the pilgrims.

Pilgrims are also taking part in what is known as the “Leave your mark” initiative in which each young man and woman gets the chance to leave a message on a board that will be preserved by the Diocese as a lasting memory of the great event and the hospitality exhibited. Parishes are also hosting music, dance and cultural events to showcase the customs and traditions of the country.

In a similar vein, the Diocese of Lamago is also playing host to more than one thousand pilgrims. Speaking to Agencia Ecclesia, Coordinator of the Diocesan Organizing Committee Luis Rafael said the days before WYD are an opportunity “for families to meet with young people”. The diocese is hosting pilgrims from Malaysia, Cape Verde, Lithuania and Germany. Many families got together to prepare a social dinner for the attendees on July 26 which reflected the gastronomic legacy of the Iberian nation.

The Diocese is also inviting the participants of WYD to get a feel of its culture, cuisine and traditions.