AMERICA/GUATEMALA - Thousands of young people from central American countries prepare for 13th Marian Prayer Vigil with the theme “Eucharist source of peace” in this Year of the Eucharist

Thursday, 15 September 2005

AFGHANISTAN

2024-04-22
Commemoration of the victims of the Easter attacks: Catholic Church wants to initiate the beatification process of their martyrdom

2024-02-07
Manipur, torn by conflict, tries to reconnect the threads of dialogue

2023-12-04
The Franciscan Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Jinan celebrates the 60th anniversary of Sacrosanctum Concilium, to continue walking on the paths opened by the Second Vatican Council

2023-10-16
Prayer for the reconciliation of the peoples of Israel and Palestine

2022-02-24
Integrating refugees into society: the commitment of the Pro Bambini Association of Kabul

2021-12-18
The Barnabites, with their hearts in Kabul: "Pray for Afghanistan"

Guatemala City (Fides Service) -Guatemala City, known as the most violent central American capital, will host the 13th Our Lady Help of Christians Youth Prayer Vigil on Saturday 17 September at La Salle Education Centre in the old city. “Eucharist source of Peace” is the theme chosen in this Year of the Eucharist. One of the chief organisers Fr Richard Godoy, parish priest of the local Our Lady Help of Christians who explained “today, as in the past, in a culture of extreme violence our Prayer Vigil intends to propose the beatitude of the Body of Christ as a means to restore peace to Guatemala and Central America”. The popular annual prayer vigil draws about 8,000 young people from all over Guatemala and from El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica.
Among its objectives: offer young people an experience God through reconciliation, adoration and participation in the celeration of the Eucharist together with other young people; show young people that Christ is young and dynamic like them, full of life and enthusiasm and he makes a civilisation of love possible; evangelise young people with festive events focussed on Christ-centred and Marian spirituality; encourage reflection starting with the Word of God, the sacraments, community prayer, adoration and praise; offer examples of authentic Christian life with testimonials from Catholic singers and preachers.
The Vigil has been prepared over the last 12 months by young people under the guidance of Fr Godoy with initiatives of youth animation, retreats ect., aimed at spreading the message of the Gospel.
Besides prayer, the Vigil includes musical performances by Christian singers of songs with a Christian message, preaching on the chosen theme, testimonials of Christian life, time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, prayer of adoration and Benediction. The Vigil culminates with the celebration of Mass, presided this year by Cardinal Rodolfo Quezada Toruño, Archbishop of Guatemala. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 15/9/2005 righe 28 parole 388)