The army of papa boys is already deployed. There are 181 young people aged 15 to 30 belonging to the dioceses of Nuoro and Lanusei who have already booked to experience with Pope Francis the World Youth Day scheduled in Lisbon from 1 to 6 August next.
The registrations - collected last February - count 63 young people for the diocese of Lanusei, coming from the parishes of Arzana, Bari Sardo, Jerzu, Lanusei, Perdasdefogu, Talana, Tertenia, Villagrande and Villaputzu.
From the sister diocese of Nuoro there are 118 members, representing the parishes of Budoni, Dorgali, Fonni, Galtellì, Lodè, Mamoiada, Nuoro with the parishes of Maria Gabriella, Nostra Signora del Rosario, Nostra Signora delle Grazie, San Giuseppe and San Domenico , Orgosolo, Sarule, Siniscola and Oliena.
The Sardinian groups will leave on July 31st with the ferry that from Porto Torres will bring them directly to Barcelona where they will stay. Before moving to Portugal to meet in Lisbon - from 3 to 6 August - Pope Francis together with thousands of his peers from all over the world, will spend a few days in Spain, between Madrid and Valencia. The Portuguese stage in Fatima is also awaited.
The participation fee has also been established: € 760 – including all transfers, the route by ship and overnight stays – to be paid in three tranches: the first equal to 150 euros at the time of registration; the second of 260 euros by 20 April; finally the third equal to 350 euros by 20 June.
The boys will be accompanied by some members of the diocesan teams. An important and complex organizational effort for which there is really great enthusiasm and satisfaction: «We are particularly happy for the excellent response – comments Don Alessandro Muggianu , head of youth ministry for the diocese of Nuoro -. Initially, such a high number of members was not expected, especially considering both the long and painful period of closure due to the pandemic, and the particularly high prices. Yet the boys' response was immediate, think that the numbers were already reached in the first two weeks of February. This can only make us happy and confident». This is echoed by Fr Alfredo Diaz , head of youth ministry in the diocese of Lanusei: "The Portuguese experience is also enriched by the stop in Fatima, in which young people will have the opportunity to experience a real pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima".
«The commitment is also maximum in the organization of the meetings in preparation for the WYD - adds Valentina Pani , member of the Ogliastra diocesan team - so that everything can succeed in the best way. From the very first meeting in Nuoro there were very many young people. Certainly with the registrations the audience has thinned out slightly, but still a remarkable participation remains. The adrenaline and the desire to leave are palpable among everyone. The hope and certainty are that of living a unique experience that makes us return to our communities with a precious treasure in our hearts".