Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - Young Catholics of South Korea lived an intense and significant moment of prayer and recollection recently when they carried the visiting Youth Day Cross as far as Freedom Bridge which marks the border with North Korea. The young people, about 100, were accompanied by priests and religious and some soldiers on border duty were also present. One young boy prayed “May the Cross of Christ be a bridge over frontiers and walls uniting hearts and the two Koreas” .
The young people came from dioceses all over the south to take part. The gathering started with the recitation of the Holy Rosary and special prayers for national reconciliation and reunification before hoisting the World Youth Day Cross and setting out in procession for the demilitarised zone between the two Koreas.
“We are now more aware of what we young people can do to promote unity under the banner of the Cross and Love of Christ”, the participants said.
South and North Korea are formally still at war since an armistice sanctioned the division of the peninsula after the Korean War 1950 - 1953.
The pilgrimage across South Korea of the Youth Day Cross is drawing crowds of young Catholics and non Catholics, wherever its stops. After S. Korea the WYD Cross will continue its pilgrimage touring the dioceses of the Philippines, moving then to East Timor and various Pacific island countries on its way to Sydney for World Youth Day 2008. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 2/3/2007 righe 27 parole 271)
