2012-11-10 13:12:51

Youth pilgrimage to Rome’s pilgrim churches


(Vatican Radio) More than 100 young people from around the world gathered in the crypt Saint Peter’s basilica for Mass Saturday morning to begin a pilgrimage to the 7 major basilicas of Rome.

Those taking part in the pilgrimage went on foot from Saint Peter’s to Saint Pauls Outside the Walls, Saint Sebastian’s, Saint John Lateran, Santa Croce and Gerusalemme, Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls, and finally concluded with a visit to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

Organizing the event is the Centro San Lorenzo, an international youth centre founded by Blessed John Paul II in the early 1980s as a place for welcoming young pilgrims to Rome.

Welcoming coordinator for the youth centre Cecile Delattre spoke with Vatican Radio about the purpose of this pilgrimage.

“The main grace that people can receive in this pilgrimage,” she said, comes from the opportunity to walk “in the steps of the saints.”

The pilgrimage offers the opportunity to visit the tombs of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, she continued, as “these are the columns of the Church: and we are walking in their steps to rediscover our own faith.”

6th year seminarian for the Venerable English College and organizer for the pilgrimage Marc Homsey spoke about what young people can receive from this pilgrimage.

“You can have a powerful experience at each of the churches,” he explained, especially at the first two basilicas visited, knowing that “Saint Peter is buried at Saint Peter’s basilica, the first pope who knew Jesus personally, and Saint Paul at the next church who is one of our great apostles.”

The purpose of such a pilgrimage, the organizers told Vatican Radio, is to help young people find community as they journey through the city in the footsteps of the saints.

Listen to Ann Schneible’s full report: RealAudioMP3







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