On the weekend of Palm Sunday in The Netherlands a group of 200 young Syrians made a pilgrimage. They did this in memory of Father Frans van der Lugt (PRO)  killed exactly three years ago in Homs, Syria. The hike is an initiative of Syrian refugees, now living in Germany and the UK, and is supported by JRS-Germany and the Dutch Jesuits.

The opening ceremony took place in the cathedral of Den Bosch, where  bishop Gerard de Korte presided and the family of Father Frans, Dutch Jesuits and hundreds of others attended.

Father van der Lugt organized hikes, pilgrimages on foot, for more than twenty years inside Syria, and brought together people from different ethnic groups and religions. Father Jan Peters SJ, professor of Islam, coordinated this four days event and preached during the opening ceremony. He stressed the rich image of open doors in Revelation 21,25  a symbol that speaks to refugees and to those who welcome them.

Please pray for Syria.