On 18 July, the group of volunteers arrived at the Salesian Theologate in Krakow. They came to prepare the sites and events for the Salesians pilgrims from around the world, next week. There are many things to do, but there is also much willingness, optimism and desire for service. All this so that young people, in the spirit of St. John Bosco, can serve their peers from all over the world. The volunteers expect a very intense week. There will be much work, moments of celebration, but above all the encounter with God in the Eucharist and in prayer.
The following day, Tuesday, July 19, the volunteers started to work intensively in small groups. The cleaning of the accommodation areas, the preparation of the pilgrim's kit, the organization of info points and the responding to questions from the Salesians pilgrims are just some of the activities. Meanwhile in the courtyard of the Salesian Theologate in Krakow, a group of Polish soldiers, working for two days with great commitment and dedication, had prepared the beds in the camp.
This tiring day ended with the Eucharist celebrated in the Salesian church of Debniki, where for some years people went there to pray to Saint John Paul II. After Mass they held a prayer vigil prepared by the Salesian volunteers.
Also July 20 was very intense and filled with activities for the Salesian volunteers. After the morning prayer, the time was spent for further preparations related to the WYD and the SYM. A big group of volunteers moved to the EXPO exhibition area in Krakow where they began the initial work for the SYM. This event will be attended by over 5000 people from the Salesian Youth Movement around the world. Meanwhile, the other group of volunteers carried on the work started earlier.
In the evening, at the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy in Kracow-Lagiewniki, a solemn Mass was participated by all the volunteers of World Youth Day, it was presided by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, while the homily was preached by Mons. Damian Muskus OFM - the organizing committee coordinator of World Youth Day.
https://www.infoans.org/en/sezioni-eventi/item/1415-poland-the-salesian-volunteers-have-started-work-the-volunteers-diary-of-the-first-three-days#sigProIdbe86d20c37
In the end, on the lawn next to the Sanctuary, a folk music concert was presented by the Polish-Spanish group. The crowds of volunteers from around the world celebrated together, expressing the joy of this encounter. The Good music and a great atmosphere of meeting each other have been a nice conclusion of this busy day.
The news will be posted on the SYM site (http://krakow2016sym.pl),
on the Facebook page of the SYM (https://www.facebook.com/krakow2016sym)
and the event itself (https: //www.facebook.com/events/1636530769902758),
on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIewRZvJqToce7qD011HRMg),
on Twitter (https://twitter.com/krakow2016sym)
and on Instagram (https: //www.instagram.com/krakow2016sym),
in Polish, English, Italian and Spanish.
