The Eucharistic Youth Movement has set sail for Saint-Malo for its national gathering. They are hundreds, from all over France, to share, celebrate and celebrate.
"We have fishing," says Mathieu, 17, from Limoges, despite the last two nights spent in the tent "but with my ski pants, it does . " Like him, they are several hundred young people, from 12 to 18 years, accompanied by their officials, to disembark from all France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and even Egypt.
From Wednesday until this Saturday evening, they participate in the 43rd gathering of the EYM, the Eucharistic Youth Movement, in Keriadenn, on the theme "Go! Open your horizons. A call that coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Route du Rhum and the reflection around the synod of young people and vocations, by the Church.
Thursday afternoon, their presence did not go unnoticed, around the basins of the port, where was the blessing of the boats and skippers of the race. Their enthusiasm and joy are communicative. The reputation of the "festive and colorful" movement is not overrated.
Testimonial with Team Jolokia
On the agenda of each day, time for reflection and sharing by teams, great games, moments of recollection and, of course, festive, dancing and singing vigils, led by the group Divaskell.
Yesterday morning, Pierre Meisel, director and co-founder of Team Jolokia, an association that brings the colors of diversity to the world of offshore racing, while sailing on an exceptional boat of disparate crews, testified, with two teammates, Raphaëlle Abeille and Philippe Laude: " Physical, social or cultural differences are a collective wealth. "
Act together
The VO'60 Team Jolokia , built for the Volvo Ocean Race, a world-class crewed and stage race dedicated to monohulls, has a 28m mast. "When we have to hoist the mainsail, it is in the hand that the team members tackle the task, chanting Jo-Lo-Kia. A beautiful illustration of the solidarity and the necessary complementarity, on land as on sea.
In the afternoon, there is a place for solidarity actions on the theme "opening up to the difference and acting together". The older ones went to the city to meet the Ehpad, the institutions for dependent elderly people, Restos du coeur , Nautisurf, Solidarity Gardens, Secours Populaire, France Palestine or Effata, "not just for a testimony, but to experience what is lived in the association, " says Emmanuel Blain, accompanist.
The younger ones were visited by representatives of Artisans du Monde, the Committee against Hunger and for Development, Secours Catholique, Kaibigan Emerald, Maison Claire and François.
In the evening, a festive vigil was scheduled with the international MEJ.