The night of July 27th was flooded with emotion and depth in the Castle of Abrantes, in the Diocese of Portalegre-Castelo Branco. Pilgrims, local youth, and Host Families gathered to pray through the songs of Taizé.

In the context of the Days in the Dioceses, Portalegre-Castelo Branco received Brother David, the only Portuguese member of the ecumenical community of Taizé (France), to animate a moment of sharing of faith with the young pilgrims that came from other countries. For the brother, World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023 is a beautiful opportunity to live with other cultures and "broaden horizons," he told Agência Ecclesia.  

To Brother David, a man from the region, is a joy to be able to associate "with the people who are preparing to welcome pilgrims here in my diocese." Sister Fernanda Luz, coordinator of the Diocesan Organizing Committee (COD) of Portalegre-Castelo Branco, revealed that the young people of the Diocese are veterans when it comes to praying with songs of Taizé. André, a diocesan volunteer, also shared that it was a moment of prayer and nature walk with pilgrims from Brazil, Honduras, Dominica, and Norway. 

The activity was prepared for the Days in the Dioceses, particularly dedicated to the care of the Common Home, where the discovery of this emblematic place of the Diocese, the Castle of Abrantes, was praised and set out.