Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cologne (Fides Service) - The Society of Jesus is organising an Ignation Experience for young people in preparation for World Youth Day 15-21 August in Cologne, Germany to help them increase their awareness of God’s presence. The experience will involve about 3,000 young people from various countries from 8 to 15 August. Jesuit Fr. Javier Ruiz-Seiquer, programme co-ordinator in Spain told Fides that the initiative, a pilgrimage-retreat focussing on the spirituality of St Ignatius of Loyola, intends to prepare the young people for the encounter with the Pope in Cologne. The programme called “Magis”, which means “greater” aims to help young people to acquire ‘greater’ awareness of the presence of God in their lives. During the week the young people from 20 different countries will share prayer, ideas and experience.
The Jesuit province of Spain will be represented at the Magis programme by 600 young people who will join about 3,000 from more than 20 different countries. From 8-12 August in preparation for World Youth Day, the young people in 100 international groups of 30 to 50 will be guests in 12 different towns in Germany but also in nearby places in France, Belgium and Luxembourg where they will take part in various activities, discussions, social work, meeting with the local people .... On 13 August after six days of march the groups will meet at a camp site at Lorelei on the banks of the River Rhine, where they will share their experience over the past week. On Sunday Jesuit Preposito General Fr. Kolvenbach will preside Mass for the young people and the next day they will take a river ferry to Cologne for the celebrations of the 20th World Youth Day with the Pope. For more information see www.magis2005.de (RG) (Agenzia Fides 28/4/2005, righe 23, parole 341)
