The Holy Land is preparing for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro
Jerusalem, 11 May 2013: On 13 July, 95 Israeli youth and 20 Palestinian youth will
take off from the Holy Land for Brazil to attend the XXVIII edition of the World Youth
Day, which this year will be held in Rio. Pope Francis, too will make his first apostolic
visit to attend the same program. Bishop Shomali, Bishop of Jerusalem and Patriarchal
Vicar for Palestine will accompany this group of young people from Israel, Bethlehem,
Ramallah, joined by Don Aziz Halaweh, ecclesial assistant for youth in Palestine and
the parish priest of Taybeh.
The delegation will have a stop in the vicinity
of Rio for a week of spiritual and cultural preparation before meeting with the Holy
Father. The group will be welcomed by the Diocese of Niteroi (in the state of Rio
de Janeiro) with the support of the Lieutenancy of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre
in Brazil. The bishop of Jerusalem, accompanied by Don Aziz, will also meet with the
group Cançao nova TV for the forthcoming launch of the Christian radio station in
Taybeh.
Among catechesis, cultural visits and meetings, the delegation of the
Holy Land will also experience a full week of intense moments that lead up to the
four major events planned with the new pontiff.
To best prepare in advance
for this World Youth Day in Rio, the 115 young members of the Holy Land are invited
to attend these meetings as provided for in Ramallah in the coming weeks. Source:
VR Sedoc