"It's an exceptional event that takes place on average every three years, once in Europe, once on the other side of the world; this year it's in Europe, as it was in 2016 in Krakow. It is the Church's event for young people," explains Fr. Xavier Ernst, Salesian and Delegate for Youth Ministry in France and Belgium. "They say there is a before and an after in the faith of young people, in their commitment, with respect to WYD. As a Salesian, you cannot miss it."
Within the Salesian Family of France, French-speaking Belgium, and Tunisia, 125 participants have already registered. "We shall leave on 24 July from Belgium with a stop in Paris; another coach will leave from Lyon. We will spend a week in the diocese of Porto with other groups of the Salesian Youth Movement from all over the world before reaching Lisbon for the WYD proper, with at least another million pilgrims," adds Sister Anne-Flore Magnan, of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
But such a pilgrimage has a cost. And the route developed by the Salesian Family costs an average of €300 less than similar routes undertaken by other Church proposals or contexts in France and Belgium: "We made the crazy bet of bringing young people who don't necessarily have the means to do so: we believe in the strength of our network to support us and help young people to go!" adds Sister Magnan.
To make up for the difference, a coffee sale and a call for charity were launched. And what better way to support the departure of the young people for WYD than to enjoy organic and fair-trade coffee? That is why the Salesian Family of France, French-speaking Belgium, and Tunisia invites you to support the pilgrimage of young people by ordering your ideal type of coffee by 10 March.
