Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santiago (Agenzia Fides) - With the Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Santiago of Chile, His Exc. Mgr. Galo Fernandez on Saturday, October 18, the 24th pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Teresa of the Andes concluded, the first Chilean Saint, the first Discalced Carmelite saint outside Europe, who was beatified in Santiago, Chile by Saint John Paul II on April 3, 1987 and was canonized by the Pope himself on March 21, 1993.
The note sent to Fides Agency by the Archdiocese reports Mgr. Galo’s words: "We were invited to walk with our families in our heart. They are a sacred space where you show unconditional love, the importance of tenderness , sharing and commitment". However, he added, "there are also spaces in which there are the wounds of humanity. Because we also bring pain for absences, illnesses, failures and sad stories, and perhaps this is why the families themselves are also places of welcome and forgiveness". The Archbishop also urged young people to "celebrate life and to always try to create moments of encounter in our families, but also in the families of our environment, our neighborhood".
The pilgrimage started at 5 am on Saturday, October 18 from Santiago and for 27 kilometers approximately 100,000 young people (a figure that far exceeds the previous editions) sang, prayed, reflected and shared experiences of faith. The participants were mainly young people from different backgrounds and environments, accompanied by priests and religious. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 20/10/2014)
