Young seminarians, priests, religious, deacons and those in consecrated life with less than 15 years or ordination made a pilgrimage on foot from Verviers to Banneux, in Belgium, on 21 May. The pilgrimage was organized by the French-speaking bishops of the country, coordinated by Msgr. Leonard, of the national Centre for vocations. The aim was to sensitize the faithful to the question of vocations, especially those in the Church. Some thought the event was going to be a flop, but it was far from that. From an initial estimate of 270 participants the number grew to 330, a long procession of habits, tunics and cassocks of various colours covered the 15 km route, followed with curiosity by onlookers and also by some television channels. After a pause for prayer, the caravan of religious reached Tancrémont, where it was welcomed by the population. From this point onwards the number of pilgrims grew to 2500, thanks to the presence of simple faithful who joined the pilgrimage spontaneously on the road. Cardinal Danneels was particularly moved: “This initiative he said demonstrates to us that something is changing in the hearts of Catholics in Belgium. And this is thanks to the prayer and commitment of each and everyone!”.
