The tenth national pilgrimage of the "travelling people" (22nd to 27th July) of Switzerland to Einsiedeln Abbey (Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland) starts today. The pilgrimage to the abbey of the Benedictine Friars is a tradition, by now, dating back to 1999, and is set up by the Swiss Chapel for the itinerants of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference. Rom from Switzerland will take part in it. They will participate in daily Eucharist liturgies, times of prayer in the Chapel of the Black Madonna venerated at Einsiedeln, and in meetings with the Benedictine monks of the Abbey. During the most important celebration, which is taking place on Saturday 26th July, a few Rom young people and adults are making their First Communion, and are being confirmed. In Switzerland, 90% of gypsies are Catholic. Last year, about 250 Rom people took part in the national pilgrimage to Einsiedeln Abbey, which takes place every year at the end of July.
