Thursday 1 January 2009

Caring for youth

Fr de Malleray of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter will give a retreat for young people linked with Juventutem (any other youth interested are welcome) at Douai Abbey from 18th to 20th September 2009. For more information, contact Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP, 179 Elgar Rd, Reading RG2 0DH, Berks – Tel.: 0118 987 5819 – E-mail: malleray[at]fssp.org. Website: www.fssp.org.uk

A more festive and longer event will take place in France this summer from 18th to 23rd August 2009, when Juventutem will organize an international youth gathering in the medieval Marian shrine of Le Puy-en-Velay (between Saint-Etienne and Clermont-Ferrand). Like Wigratzbad in August 2005, there will be lectures in English, beautiful solemn liturgies and cultural excursions in the breathtaking landscapes of the Massif Central.

There will also be a Juventutem English chapter (accompanied by Fr de Malleray) on the annual pilgrimage to Chartres. This 70-mile traditional pilgrimage from Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris to Notre-Dame cathedral in Chartres is the largest all-walking pilgrimage in the Catholic world. If you haven't done it yet, you may like to consider attending this time and see the 8,000 young people walking and singing canticles, preceded by superb banners and processional crosses, while dozens of clergy from all the "Ecclesia Dei" communities hear confessions, gives spiritual advice and preach. A shorter and smoother itinerary is designed for families, even with pushchairs! The Order of Malta is in charge of the pilgrims' good health, with teams of doctors and nurses (specialized in blisters) posted every 4 miles! Whatever your age if you like walking, we hope to see you amongst British pilgrims: starting on Whitsun Eve (Saturday 30th May 2009), ending on Whit Monday (June 1st, 2009). Please comment here, or contact the FSSP for more information.

(excerpted/adapted from "Dowry", the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter's newsletter for England)

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