EUROPE/ITALY - Italian branch celebrates 60th anniversary of Aid to the Church in Need association of Pontifical right

Rome (Fides Service) - The Salesianum College (Via della Pisana 1111, Rome) will host 11 - 13 May a Meeting with which the benefactors and collaborators of the Italian branch of Aid to the Church in Need will celebrate 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Association 1947-2007. Special prayers, visits to place of religious interest and reflection on the Churches in need will mark the Programme. Friday 11 participants will be welcomed. On Saturday 12 May in the crypt of St Peter's Cardinal Francesco Marchisano will preside the celebration of the opening Mass, this will be followed by a guided visit to the necropolis and the tomb of St Peter. Saturday afternoon will be reserved for reflection on the spirituality and history of Aid to the Church in Need- with talks by Mgr Sante Babolin on the spiritual legacy of the “Bacon Priest” and Mgr. Iwan Dacko former secretary to Cardinal Sljpy, a prominent member of the “Church of silence” - and on the present commitments of ACN reported by Saverio Legorreta, in charge of the section for Latin America Programmes. The Meeting will conclude on Sunday 13 May with morning Mass at the Marian Shrine of Divine Love. Benefactors and collaborators will once again consecrate the work of ACN to the Blessed Virgin Mary on the feast of Our Lady of Fatima to whom the deceased founder Werenfried van Straaten consecrated his association. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 10/5/2007 - righe 16, parole 226)