Young people colour la Serra da Piedade in hope

At the feast of the Assumption of Mary body and soul into heaven, about five thousand young people decided to pay her homage in great style on the heights of la Serra da Piedade. The 10th Youth Pilgrimage arrived at la Serra da Piedade, 1740 metres above sea level. The event had been organised by the Marist Pastoral Centre and by the Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte.
From seven o?clock in the morning, despite a biting cold of eight degrees, hundreds of young people came from various parishes of the Archdiocese bringing their daring and enthusiastic faith to these heights. Hats, gloves and coloured scarves helped battle the cold that confronted the pilgrims. They gave different colours to the countryside, showing that it was no ordinary Monday. After all, the 15th August will always be the day of Our Lady who will be the patroness of Belo Horizonte forever.
The programme started at eight o?clock with lots of music and animation to welcome the joyful pilgrims who had risen very early to pay homage to the Mother of Jesus. More than seventy coaches had invaded the parking area. At nine thirty, at the sound of the Romaria, the walk of three kilometres started: ?Sou caipira, Pirapora, Nossa Senhora…? sang the choir which at this hour counted already four thousand voices.
At eleven o?clock, facing the sanctuary, was the highlight of the day with the Eucharist presided over by Dom Walmor Oliveira de Azevedo, Archbishop of Belo Horizonte. The strongly stressed word that rallied all the participants around the altar was: HOPE. A multitude of young people in colourful clothes responded fervently and enthusiastically to the calls of the Archbishop. The good harmony showed that the Church of Belo Horizontale will gain a lot by walking with these young people.
The start of the afternoon was reserved for cultural presentations of the group Tambolêlê and to the sharing of gifts. The return time to the capital started at three thirty in the afternoon, with the strong invitation to participate in the candlelit procession in homage to Our Lady of Safe Travels.