(ANS – Budslau) – The 25th Salesian Youth Pilgrimage of Evangelisation (SMEP) took place from 29 June to 4 July 2026, an initiative which, for a quarter of a century, has been accompanying young people from the town of Smarhon to the National Shrine of Mary, Mother of God, in Budslau, the most important Marian pilgrimage site in Belarus. In keeping with tradition, the pilgrimage began with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Delegate for Belarus, Fr Viktar Haidukevich. In his homily, he invited the participants to experience the journey not merely as a physical journey, but as a genuine spiritual journey, opening themselves to God and allowing Him to become the true Lord of their lives. For six days, the young people, together with the Salesians, religious sisters, youth leaders and volunteers, travelled the roads of Belarus amidst prayer, songs and testimonies of faith. This is precisely what lies at the heart of the evangelising pilgrimage: not merely walking towards the Shrine of Budslau, but bringing the Gospel to the people they met along the way. In many villages and towns, the inhabitants came out to meet the pilgrims, joining in prayer, receiving a blessing and sharing moments of faith. The spiritual guidance of the pilgrimage was entrusted to Fr Artur Liashneuski, SDB, who led a series of spiritual exercises on the theme “We are children of the same dream”. In the light of the charism of St John Bosco, the participants reflected on building their lives on the foundations of faith, hope and charity. A key element of the pilgrimage was the work in small groups, during which the young people shared experiences of faith and personal reflections, and explored the themes of the meditations together, learning to recognise God’s presence in daily life and strengthening the family spirit characteristic of the Salesian charism. Furthermore, during the final few kilometres of the journey, the young people were joined by Monsignor Aliaksandr Yasheuski, SDB, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Minsk-Mahilëŭ; Monsignor Uladzimir Hulai, Bishop of Hrodna; and once again Fr Viktar Haidukevich, SDB. The pilgrimage reached the Basilica of Budslau with 146 participants, confirming once again that it is much more than simply a journey to a shrine. It is a true school of evangelical life in which, through prayer, spiritual exercises, sharing, service and community life, young people encounter God, grow in the spirit of St John Bosco and bring the joy of the Gospel to others.