The first of the national pilgrimages organized as part of the Mitteleuropäische Katholikentag (congress of central European Catholics) was held in the Czech Republic in 4 July. The Katholikentag involves eight episcopates of central Europe and will conclude with the transnational pilgrimage to the Marian sanctuary at Mariazell, in Austria, on 22-23 May 2004. Its aim is to promote greater reciprocal understanding, reconciliation and Christian unity among the faithful of central Europe. Goal of this first national pilgrimage was Velehrad, which has been visited by pilgrims since the 11th century. It culminated on Saturday, 5 July, feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius and Czech national holiday, with a eucharistic celebration in the presence of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, archbishop of Vienna and president of the Austrian Episcopal Conference. Concerts by musicians from various countries were given on the fringes of the pilgrimage. Particular attention was devoted to disabled pilgrims, to whom some meetings with personalities from the worlds of sport and show business were dedicated.
