The “Days in Dioceses”, which will take place from 26 to 31 July, already have more than 600 groups registered. The Salesian Youth Movement will have more than 1,200 participants from 16 different countries.
Preceding World Youth Day, the “Days in Dioceses” (DND) are a preparatory meeting consisting of the integration of young people from all over the world into the parish communities of the various dioceses of our country.
There are 17 Portuguese dioceses that will receive pilgrims in July: Algarve; Angra; Aveiro; Beja; Braga; Bragança-Miranda; Coimbra; Évora; Funchal; Guarda; Lamego; Leiria-Fátima; Portalegre-Castelo Branco; Porto; Viana do Castelo; Vila Real and Viseu. Each one is finalising a programme centred on five pillars: welcome, discovery, mission, culture and sending forth.
As explained by Father Filipe Diniz, national coordinator of the “Days in Dioceses”, the dioceses hosting the DND have so far received “682 groups” registered, but are expecting to receive “more groups”.
The 682 groups already registered come from countries on five continents: Europe, Africa, America, Asia and Oceania.
The young people will be accommodated, preferably in family homes, in host parishes, and in public facilities, schools, municipalities and parishes, as well as associations/collectivities.
Days in the dioceses and the SYM
The young people of the Salesian Youth Movement will also take part in the Days in Dioceses.
The Pre-Journey team of WYD DON BOSCO 23 is responsible for the advance communication between the participating groups and the Portuguese dioceses and, so far, has received more than 1200 registrations, from 16 different countries.
Elements of the SYM from countries such as South Africa, Antilles, Angola, South Korea, Brazil, Cape Verde, Belgium, France, Spain, Democratic Republic of Congo, Poland, Kenya, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Venezuela and Tanzania will take part in the “Days in the Dioceses” and will be integrated in the Dioceses of Aveiro, Algarve, Braga, Évora and Castelo Branco. The Diocese of Porto was the most sought after by the SYM elements, with six groups choosing this destination.
