Holy Land – As the Vatican this week, published the program for Pope Francis for the next WYD, the Holy Land is preparing 115 young people who will go to Rio and will be accompanied by Bishop William Shomali, Auxiliary Bishop for Jerusalem and Palestine, and Father Aziz Halaweh, general Chaplain of Youth Catholic students in Palestine.
On July 13, 95 young people from Israel and 20 from Palestine will leave for Brazil to join Pope Francis for the 28th World Youth Days which will be held in Rio de Janeiro this year. This will be the first apostolic trip of the Holy Father.
Bishop Shomali, will accompany this group of young Christians from Israel, Bethlehem and Ramallah, along with Father Aziz Halaweh, ecclesiastical assistant for the youth in Palestine and parish priest of Taybeh . The delegation is scheduled to be in Rio one week before the arrival of Pope Francis. They will join other young people from around the world and participate in several spiritual and cultural events in the parishes.
The group will be hosted by the Diocese of Niteroi (in the state of Rio de Janeiro) with the generous support of the Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Brazil, which Bishop Shomali will visit. He and Fr. Aziz will also visit Canção Nova TV in connection with the upcoming launch of the Christian radio in Taybeh.
Between catechesis, cultural visits and international meetings, the delegation of the Holy Land is preparing for a busy week of activities leading to the four major events planned with the new Pontiff. It was announced last week by the Holy See Press office that the meetings will be held between July 25 to July 28 as follows:
– Thursday, July 25 at 18h, welcome ceremony along the Copacabana beachfront, greetings and address of the Pope.
– Friday, July 26 at 18h, Stations of the Cross will be held along the Copacabana beachfront, address of the Holy Father.
– Saturday, July 27 at 19:30, Prayer Vigil will be held with the Holy Father at the Campus Fidei of Guaratiba.
– Sunday, July 28 at 10am, the Pope will celebrate Mass for the 28th World Youth Day at the Campus Fidei of Guaratiba, followed by the Angelus prayer .
To best prepare for the World Youth Days in Rio, the 115 youth participants from the Holy Land are invited to participate in the three meetings in Ramallah during the next few weeks.
By: Amélie de La Hougue
