Arequipa (Fides Service) - The Archdiocese of Arequipa, led by Archbishop Jose Paulino Rios Reynoso is organising a series of Lenten Liturgies for different groups, adults, young people, elderly and children to help the faithful prepare to celebrate Holy Week and Easter.
On Sunday 20 February 400 children from parishes and church movements all of the city took part in the annual Lenten retreat with the title this year “Children, come to Supper and I will make you missionaries of my love”. The retreat, organised jointly with the diocesan office of the Pontifical Mission Societies, was held at St John the Baptist parish inYanahuara.
The aim of the retreat is explained in the title: “to help children understand the meaning of Lent to enable them to live this time of preparation for Easter in closely united with Jesus in the Eucharist in view of the celebration of Easter. We also aim to foster a spirit of mission by helping the children learn more about Jesus in the Eucharist, who is Jesus on the Cross, the Redeemer of mankind, who sends all Christians to announce to good news of salvation”, Father Victor Livori, PMS diocesan director in Arequipa told Fides.
The programme of the day of retreat was an alternation of periods of reflection, prayer, animation and recreation. The reflections focussed on the Year of the Eucharist. In his address to the children Archbishop Paulino Rios illustrated Pope John Paul II’s message for Lent 2005. The retreat ended with a special children’s Mass. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 23/2/2005; righe 21; parole 277)