Thousands to attend Vatican’s mega faith events for Pentecost

(May 15, 2013) The Vatican is holding a special event for the Year of Faith this weekend, in which some 120 thousand people from around the world are participating, culminating on the feast of Pentecost on Sunday. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the President of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization held a press conference in the Vatican on Wednesday, presenting the two days of celebrations called the day of ecclesial movements, new communities', associations and lay groups. He said 150 church groups from various countries including India, have confirmed their participation in this event on the theme “I believe! Increase our faith.” He added that many young men and women who have lost their faith, or become sterile and indifferent, have often found their faith at these meetings and been converted.
Archbishop Fisichella said that on Saturday there will be a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Peter, and later in the evening, Pope Francis will join the ecclesial movements at a Prayer Vigil in St. Peter’s Square during which, he will enthrone the image of the Virgin Mary, Salus Populi Romani. The event will include listening to the Word of God and testimonies from prominent Catholics, including Paul Bhatti of Pakistan whose brother, Shahbaz Bhatti, a prominent minister in the Pakistani Govt was assassinated in 2011.
The following day, Pentecost Sunday, Pope Francis will celebrate a Mass in St. Peter’s Square.