The latest initiative for the Year of Faith: Abp Fisichella

Vatican City, 02 July 2013: Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the President of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, briefed journalists on Monday on the latest initiative for the Year of Faith, and said the Day for Seminarians, Novices and those on a vocational journey will take place in Rome from July 4-7.

The initiative is entitled “I trust in you”, to indicate the act by which the young may still find the strength and courage to consecrate themselves to the Lord and to the priestly or consecrated life as a sign of generosity to the Lord Who calls upon them to follow Him.

The four day gathering will include a pilgrimage walk to the tomb of St Peter, catechesis in different language groups and a Marian Prayer Vigil in the Vatican Gardens.

The highlight of the event will be a Mass presided over by Pope Francis on Sunday 7th July in St Peter’s Basilica.

66 countries will be represented at the event from as far away as Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and Japan, which the Archbishop describes as “ a new Pentecost”, adding that the Day will be a “sign of the Catholicity of the Church”.

The event will begin on 4 July with a pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Peter. It will depart from the gardens of Castel Sant'Angelo and continue along the entire length of Via della Conciliazione, concluding at St. Peter's Basilica where Cardinal Angelo Comastri will address those present.

The following day, 5 July, will be dedicated to catechesis in various languages, and will take place in designated churches throughout the historic centre of the capital. The day will conclude at Piazza del Campidoglio where there will be a celebration with various singers; two seminarians and a young Italian nun will relate their own experiences.

The morning of Saturday 6 July will be dedicated to the celebration of reconciliation and Eucharistic adoration. For the superiors accompanying the young seminarians and religious there will be the opportunity to reflect on matters of formation at the Lateran University. In the afternoon, in the Paul VI Hall, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, will offer some thoughts prior to an encounter with Pope Francis, who will offer privileged testimony of his own vocation. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the Irish group “The Priests” and by the nun Glenda. Finally, there will be a Marian procession in the Vatican Gardens, concluding at St. Peter's Basilica with a final address from Cardinal J. Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life.

The event will conclude with the morning Mass of Sunday 7 July, presided over by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica followed by the Angelus.Source: VIS