The Tomb of Saint Peter
In the Basilica of Saint Peter
The Reconciliation pilgrimage will take place on Sunday afternoon, October 26, 1971.
We will all meet at the Basilica of Saint Peter. It is the largest church
in the world. It can welcome thousands of Christians from every part of the globe, especially those who come to pray at the tomb of Saint Peter.
Peter is the apostle whom Jesus chose to found His Church.
After Jesus ascended into heaven, Peter became the head of the Church and chose to settle in Rome, which from then on became the capital of the Christian world.
Peter knew with certainty that Jesus was the Son of God, the Savior, and he wanted the whole world to know Him. For this reason he was arrested and crucified like his Master.
He was buried in a poor grave, a pit covered with a few stones. Later, Christians thought that nothing would be too beautiful for Peter, the first Head who had brought them the Light. So they built the Basilica of Saint Peter.
The Tomb of Saint Paul
In the basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
Jesus, during His time on earth, never left His own country, Palestine. But He said to His disciples: "Go and proclaim the Gospel to all creation."
To make Jesus known in other lands, Jesus chose Paul first. He said to him: "Go, I want to send you far away, among the pagans."
Paul, moved by the Spirit, traveled from country to country to make Jesus known. He went farther and farther: this is why he is called the apostle of the Nations. No difficulty stopped him.
In the end Paul was imprisoned in Rome. He took advantage of it to announce the Good News to everyone he met. Then, like Peter, he was condemned to death.
Paul's tomb is at Saint Paul Outside the Walls. We will go there on the last day of the pilgrimage. We will ask Paul for a heart like his, full of love, so that we can make Jesus known to everyone we meet and help them love Him.
Jesus said: "I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled."
It is now up to each one of us to make sure this fire spreads across all the earth.
The Catacombs
The earth beneath Rome can be easily excavated. The early Christians took advantage of this to build long corridors underground, in whose walls they carved out shelves called "loculi" where they placed their dead. These underground chambers became known as the CATACOMBS.
Christians went to the Catacombs to celebrate the Eucharist on the tombs of their dead, who now lived the life of the Risen Christ. Their faith was written in stone: next to the name of the deceased were these words: "HE LIVES."
For Christians, death does not lead to sadness but to serenity, to peace, because Christ has risen and we too will rise.
When emperors persecuted Christians and put them to death because they remained faithful to Jesus, they were buried in the Catacombs. In dying for Christ, they became His courageous and faithful witnesses.
Today, there are still Christians in the world who must choose: either say they are not friends of Jesus and be left alone, or say they are Christians and want to live as Christians and then be persecuted—they cannot go to school with others, they are stripped of their possessions, they cannot find work.
We must pray much for these persecuted Christians, that they be filled with the strength of the Holy Spirit and that Jesus fill them with His Peace.
We too must live by these words of Jesus:
"Blessed are you when they persecute you because of me." And we must ask the Holy Spirit never to fear saying that we love Jesus, and to accept with courage—and even with joy—the difficulties and sorrows of each day.
PEACE
Some Details of the Schedule
We published the pilgrimage program in issue 5 of this newsletter.
Would you like to go over some details together?
Sunday afternoon, at Saint Peter, we will have Mass with the Holy Father, who has already expressed several times his desire to meet with us. After Mass, the Pope will greet a group of young people from each nation.
The various groups will arrive at Saint Peter's Square carrying a banner and a parchment.
On the banner will be written the name of a Saint we choose as our "traveling companion," to show the continuity between the saints who came before us in faith and ourselves, along with the name of our city of origin and a symbol of that city.
On the group parchment will be written prayer intentions, a brief testimony of reconciliation that has taken place, and a prayer offered on behalf of those traveling to Rome and the friends staying at home.
Details for making the banner and parchment will be given to group leaders.
Where are the pilgrims coming from?
Denmark: 50
Canada: 350
Belgium: 400
United States: 500
Germany: 80
England: 700
Switzerland: 200
Spain: 250
France: approximately 3,000
Also, delegations will come from Africa, Peru, and Argentina. Italy has been allocated 1,500 places, but so far we have only about thirty registrations from Rome. We are in contact with various other towns and we wait hopefully!
To this end, we would like to invite everyone who wishes to come to register as soon as possible—by July 31 if possible—for organizational reasons and so we can offer any remaining places to other countries.
Monday the 27th there is a big celebration planned. Two hours of fun are scheduled!
- The first hour will feature various performances presented by each group. If anyone feels they can prepare a short mime or singing act—lasting 5 or 6 minutes—please inform the office so they can pass it on to the organizing committee.
- The second hour will be led by competent and experienced people for everyone's enjoyment. Then the release of colorful balloons will carry our joy toward the sky.
After dinner, divided into groups according to our own interests, we will gather to discuss issues that concern us all.
At the "round table" of Italians, the topic will be: "The Handicapped Person, My Brother—The Right to Life. What Kind of Life?" Jean Vanier will also participate.
Tuesday is set aside for visiting Rome.
In the evening we will all gather for a CANDLELIGHT VIGIL.
A torch will be carried solemnly from the Basilica, and from it each person will light the candle they received earlier.
Through Christ in our lives, each one of us becomes truly Light-for-others.
This is the symbol we wish to live.
Wednesday morning, at Saint Paul Outside the Walls, we will celebrate our final liturgy together.
The Gospel will be the sending of the 72 disciples and will be read in all languages so that each of us feels called to be an "envoy" in our own country and group, to bring love, joy, and light. At the end of Mass, we will remember especially all those who could not participate in our gathering.
NOTE: For information, details, and inquiries, contact NATIONAL OFFICE OF FAITH AND LIGHT—Via Cola di Rienzo 140, tel. 350443, hours 3:00 PM / 5:00 PM.
For July: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
For August: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
For September and October: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM