CHILDREN’S PILGRIMAGE TO WORLDHOUSE

On February 17^th 2020 several school classes visited the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa in the Worldhouse in Boxtel, Netherlands.

{gallery}Pelerinage enfant world Nederland{/gallery}

A total of 42 children aged 11 and 12 in their last grade of primary school were guided by school teachers and other companions. They were beginning their one-day pilgrimage from Boxtel to St. Michielsgestel, a neighbouring village. They all wore a big coloured St. James shell around their neck on which a word was written: Trust, Love, Respect, Imagination, Care, Strength, Future.

After the introductions of the guides and the sisters, the children and their teachers/guides were divided into 11 small groups, so they could each sit and talk with a sister. The groups were scattered around the lobby, the restaurant and the chapel and animated conversations began. What did you do in Africa? Why did you want to become a sister? How did you know this was your path? What did your parents say? Do you have children? What was your most impressive experience? What was it like to come back to the Netherlands?

The girls especially were very interested in all the choices the sisters had made during their lives. The sisters showed the African countries on the map and some sisters told about their war-experiences or staying in refugee camps. This made a big impression on the children. Their companions also were impressed by the stories of the sisters. After more than an hour, everybody returned to the chapel. Two sisters read a text about going on a pilgrimage and reflecting about life choices, as these children will go to another school next year and will start preparing their future. We blessed them for the road ahead and wished them all the best. The sisters sang the Tanzanian anthem while Sr. Beatrijs beat the drum. They answered with a big applause. When the young people left the chapel, we gave them an African key cord as a symbol for their further journey in life.

All in all, it was a lovely meeting between young and old, between Catholic and non-Catholic, between religious and laypeople, between pilgrims and people who can barely walk anymore. The children were touched by the sisters’ stories and the sisters were moved by the questions and reactions of the young people. The organisation of “Pilgrims for Youth” was founded 10 years ago and now reaches 23 schools with more than 500 children. They surely will come back to the Worldhouse next year!

To know more : Pilgrimages for the youth in the Netherlands and Youth on the way to Santiago