Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Corrientes (Fides Service) - In this year of the Eucharist, thousands of young people mainly from nine dioceses in north east Agentina but also from other parts of the country made the 26th annual youth pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Itati, situated 75 km north east of Corrientes. The pilgrimage 18-19 September is organised by the office for youth pastoral care in Corrientes archdiocese, with the help of a team of delegates from the 9 dioceses in the region.
This popular event which started in 1979 with the participation of 5,000 young people, today draws as many as 450,000. The theme this year is “With you Mary, we say to Jeus, stay with us Lord”. The young pilgrims accompanied by priests and religious involved in youth pastoral will make the 75 km pilgrimage with prayers for three special intentions: “For young people that strengthened by Christ in the Eucharist they may build a better world”; “For families, that Mary the Mother of the Church may intercede for families and lead them to Jesus”; “For vocations that young people may hear the call to live their vocation more intensely”.
The culimating event of the pilgrimage was open an air Mass on Sunday 18 in front of the Basilica witha homily given by Bishop. Ricardo Oscar Faifer of Goya. One special moment was when the image of Our Lady of Itati was donated to one diocese. During the next 12 months the venerated Image will be carried in pilgrimage to every parish in that diocese until year’s annual September pilgrimage when it will be passed on to another diocese.
In this year in which the family and life have come under serious attack, the young pilgrims reaffirmed their commitment to protect life also by means of a national campaign to collect signatures to stop abortion”. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 19/9/2005, righe 23 parole 313)
