“The Eucharist: source and culmination of mission” is the theme of the European meeting of youth groups of eucharistic adoration due to be held in Rome from 6 to 10 October on the initiative of the Youth Pastoral Service of the vicariate of Rome. “The aim of the meeting explains Father Mauro Parmeggiani, director of the Service will be that of bringing Italian and European youth groups together to examine aspects of the encyclical “Ecclesia de Eucharestia”, and encourage them to place the Eucharist at the centre of their own personal and community life, according to the mandate that the Pope gave to the young on World Youth Day in Rome in 2000″. A website has been created, www.adoremus2004.org, which contains all the necessary information for those wishing to enrol in the meeting or consult its programme. Various types of catechesis are planned, including those of the theologian of the Pontifical Household, Cardinal Georges Cottier, and of the Rector of the Lateran University, Monsignor Rino Fisichella. The meeting will also be animated by moments of festivity with performances by the Gen Rosso and other musical groups. The meeting, adds Parmeggiani, “will also be a way of preparing for WYD in Cologne 2005 and will take place in the wider context of a youth Mission to the youth of Rome, especially teenagers, with the title ‘Jesus at the centre’. The mission is due to kick off on 1st October, when the relics of St. Theresa of Lisieux will arrive in Rome, and end on 10 October”. Also on the programme: an open-air Mass in the Piazza del Popolo, on Saturday 9 October, officiated by Cardinal Ruini, and a procession through the streets of Rome’s historic centre to Piazza Navona. The whole week will be accompanied by evangelization on a two-to-two basis in the streets, prayers before schools, and visits to hospitals and various charitable institutions.
