A poster campaign and a wholly new website: so Missio, the Pontifical Mission-Aid Societies of Austria, is preparing to welcome the Pope during his forthcoming visit to the Marian sanctuary of Mariazell (7-9 September). In the posters Benedict XVI is portrayed with four children and the slogan of the visit, “Look to Christ”. The choice of the children is linked to a campaign being run by Missio for the redemption and education of child soldiers in Uganda. The national director of Missio, Father Leo Maasburg, explains: “We want, together with the Pope, to devote our attention to the men and in particular to the children of Uganda. That’s why we are accompanying former child soldiers of Uganda and helping them to return to normality. Through affectionate care, various forms of therapy and the first steps towards schooling and preparation for a profession we have already given the chance of a new life to so many children. Today ever more children are being ‘dismissed’ from war service: and all of them are urgently in need of help…”. On the occasion of the Pope’s visit, Missio is asking all Austrians to make a particular donation to this campaign. Meanwhile over 500 children have responded to the appeal of Missio to send letters and drawings to Benedict XVI illustrating the motto of the visit “Look to Christ”. The best of the letters and drawings will be collected in a book and presented to Benedict XVI on Sunday 9 September, immediately after the Angelus in the Stephansplatz in Vienna, by the national director of Mission and five children drawn by lot.
