Small white crowns on their heads and the typical Lithuanian costume, with skirts of heavy thick wool against the cold and an apron for doing housework. The 43 young women who have come from Lithuania, to share the holy songs of their Country with their peers of the WYD, belong to the "Criesme" (which means holy songs) group and are among the artists invited to participate in the celebrations that were held yesterday at Munster, with young people who had gathered from all over the world to launch their message of peace. Artists at Munster and pilgrims in Cologne. The leader of the chorus, Sister Celina Rasa, 35 years old, a benedictine religious from Kanaus, explains the meaning of their costumes, that were traditionally worn by young unmarried girls. "But in the group we also have married women". For her Country some 1500 Lithuanian youth are expected to arrive in Cologne taking part in the WYD means "finally feeling free and equal with all other Europeans; we have been separated for too long". Of course the accession to Europe brings fears as well, like that of "losing the faith because of secularization and consumerism". "Our faith now is very deep she emphasizes you can’t see it, but you can feel it. Lithuanians do not like showing it outwardly". Sister Celina believes in the strength of events like the WYD because "one day all these young people will take on responsibilities, and so if we are together today and we start understanding each other, the world will become a better place".
