The opening prayer, with over one thousand young people gathered in “Plaza de San Carlos”, was the starting point of the 13km-long pilgrimage.
The joyful, colourful dresses of the youth were in tune with their prayers and festive juvenile songs, recited along the road and broadcast with powerful loudspeakers so that the youth preparing for confirmation and who came from 13 different parishes, might devoutly take part in the pilgrimage.
After the tiring journey under the sun, the young could eventually pass through the Holy Door, but only after making a good confession, for which 5 priests were available.
At the temple there was the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by the Episcopal Vicar and animated by the orchestra of San Carlos’ Church. As could be seen on that occasion, the beauty of this experience consisted in seeing over one thousand young people gain the plenary indulgence, whose significance had extensively been explained, and receive forgiveness in the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
“It was the conclusion of an act in which the youth participated to the full. They came to receive Jesus in the Eucharist in a lively, profound and juvenile liturgy”, declared the organizers, who were very happy at the response of the young to their proposal.
“Today there are still good and sound young people who look for the highest values, accept the challenges of Christian life and are committed to living Christian values,” they concluded.