Highlights of the program include the evening prayer with Pope Francis and the international meeting in St. Peter’s Square, scheduled for July 30.
Newsroom (22/07/2024 10:57, Gaudium Press) Around 50,000 young Catholics from 20 countries will gather in Rome at the end of July for the 13th International Pilgrimage of Acolytes, organized by the International Association of Acolytes – CIM (Coetus Internationalis Ministrantium).
During the event, participants will have the opportunity to meet Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. The pilgrimage will be attended by 3,200 altar servers, acolytes and their companions from all of Austria’s dioceses, as well as the participation of more than 36,000 acolytes who have registered from Germany.
Some bishops also plan to travel to Rome together with children and young people from Austria from July 28 to August 3.
The altar servers will travel to the Eternal City by bus from their dioceses; the largest group, with 1,300 altar servers and accompanying persons, comes from Upper Austria. “It’s an unforgettable experience and a unique opportunity to meet other young people from Austria and other countries, and to make new friends,” said Schippani-Stockinger, who will also be taking part in the pilgrimage to Rome.
The program includes music, prayers, Masses and international exchanges. The central moments will be the evening prayer with Pope Francis and the international meeting in St. Peter’s Square on July 30. The pilgrimage of the altar servers dates back to 1961.
With information from Agenzia SIR
Compiled by Teresa Joseph
