The “Tour de Mazenod”
cycling rally began on July 25. It was another of a series of holiday cycling tours
led by Fr. Tomek MANIURA and the NINIWA Youth Group. Previous rallies
led their participants to such places as Vilnius, Kiev, Rome, and Jerusalem (last
year’s “Rally – Destination Jerusalem”).
This time the cycling group is going to cover a distance of 5,500 km (150 km on average daily!) within 6 weeks, with each participant carrying
his own 30 kg luggage and without a supporting van!
The route extends
from Kokotko, Poland, to Morocco in Northern Africa, crossing 13 countries, the
Alps and the Pyrenees.
There will be two important “spiritual” stops: at Marseille, France, (the home of
St. Eugene de Mazenod, the founder of the Oblates and the patron of the rally) and
Madrid (World Youth Days). The pilgrimage is being made as a spiritual experience
for the lost, young generations throughout the world. For daily communiqués from
the twenty-person strong rally, see the official site at www.tourdemazenod.pl. (Blazej MIELCAREK)
