June 11, 2010 Thousands of priests have come to Rome to celebrate the International Gathering of Priests. A meeting that has perhaps united the most priests in history.
“It is very good that this celebration is being held here in Rome so we can be one with many other priests from around the world to gather in this closing of the Year for Priests.”
“It's an experience that I can't really express enough, to see people after so many years meeting here in St. Paul's Basilica in Rome for the same purpose.”
“It has been important this year to have a new awareness of our priesthood and of priests worldwide.”
Among the official acts there was a meditation for priests in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls with Cardinal Marc Oullet, Archbishop of Quebec.
Cardinal Oullet called all priests to continue forward with joy, enthusiasm and with higher fidelity every time.
This gathering also served to show how the Year for Priests has been carried out in different countries.
“In our parish the Year for Priests started with a big gift, a vocation, a priest. A youth entered the Pontifical Seminary of Santiago.”
“In August of last year we made a trip to Ars, in France, and to other important places for the Church.”
“My job was to try to explain to children the image of Saint John Mary Vianney in the catechesis. I have also tried to explain to them the mystery of the Eucharist.”
The country with the most participants at the gathering is Italy with 4,326 priests, almost half of the total participants. In second place, France with 811 and Germany is close behind with 738 priests. From Spain 619 priests have come and from the United States, 326.
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