Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cologne (Fides Service) - Friday 8 July will mark the last forty days to the 20th World Youth Day event in Cologne 11-21 August with the start of the final lap of pilgrimage of the Youth Day Cross “Kreuzspuren” (in the footsteps of the Cross). An ecumenical prayer service in the Chapel Royal in Dresden will mark the start of the 40 day pilgrimage. Young people accompanied by their Bishops will walk in relays from Dresden to Cologne carrying the WYD Cross. Forty days was chosen as a significant number of days in Christian biblical tradition in preparation for an important event or undertaking. These final 40 days of spiritual preparation for WYD are like Lent in preparation for Easter. The pilgrimage of the WYD Cross across Europe and more recently through the dioceses of Germany will end in Cologne on 16 August with the opening celebration for this 20th World Youth Day.
These last 750 km will be travelled by the young people in a spirit of the Three Wise Men who travelled from the East to render homage to the Infant King in Bethlehem. The Wise Men whose earthly remains are preserved in Cologne cathedral came from the east and so this final lap of the WYD Cross ecumenical pilgrimage will also travel from east to west following the old pilgrims paths. From Dresden to Vacha the young pilgrims will walk the Via Regia, and from Vacha to Cologne they will take the St Elisabeth Way and the St James Way, the latter leads all the way to Compostela in Spain. In keeping with tradition along the way the pilgrims will be guests of parishes Catholic and Lutheran. (MS) (Agenzia Fides, 04/07/2005 - 21 righe, 285 parole)
