61 groups, as well as more than 1,000 students and leaders, participated in the state-supported pilgrimage camps this year, the last group of which returned home a few days ago. During the trying terrain of the 1-week pilgrimage, which is mostly more than 100 kilometers long, the organizers refuted all current assumptions about young people. They found that the students are hungry for silence, they like to talk to each other and to be in nature.
The first pilgrim camp started just 4 years ago, and this year already 1,081 participants and more than 400 qualified leaders were registered at the organizing office. The number of applicants increases every year. On the 4 routes that can be chosen: Tihany-Bakonybél-Pannonhalma; Tata-Pélipöldszentkereszt-Esztergom; Márianosztra-Szécsény-Mátraverebély-Szentkút; Marana Tha Ház (Mánfa)-Máriakeménd-Máriagyód students walk an average of 20-25 kilometers per day in a week, on very challenging terrain.
Groups of a maximum of 34 people, mostly made up of high school and high school students, are accompanied by qualified leaders who
they work with young people along a developed spiritual arc and theme, so that their outer path can become an inner path.
Photo: Csaba Kiss/777blog
"In addition to walking, prayer, periods of silence and conversations, sharing and games are part of the daily program, with the aim of getting the participants closer to God, themselves and their peers," said organizer Zsófia Gáll. "We often experience during the journey that young people are touched by the experiences they have had,
they are grateful, their eyes are opened to the beautiful and the good"
- said the organizer with joy, and then added that the students often point out after the camp that they are capable of much more than they thought they were. What's more, he added, once they get the hang of it, they'll love the silence.
Departure and arrival takes place from holy place to holy place. One of the greatest experiences for the participants is that they can meet monks at certain stations along the way, with whom they can learn about how they live. One of the favorite destinations was the Mátraverebély-Szentkút national shrine, where the Franciscan monks welcomed the groups with bells and love.
"A committed Christian life is not a criterion for applying, but for many participants, in addition to the community experience, the pilgrimage camp also means a serious strengthening of faith, in fact, there have already been participants who were baptized as a result of the camp"
added the organizer.
Featured Image: Pixabay
