Vigil Preceded by Angelo Branduardi's Concert
VATICAN CITY, AUGUST 17 (ZENIT.org).- "Pilgrims of Yes," was the title of a prayer vigil organized by the Italian Center for Vocations, in the context of the "Incontragiovani" ("Youth Meetings"), a series of 300 events, concerts, testimonies, plays, etc. that are being held in Rome in the afternoons and evenings as part of the 15th World Youth Day celebrations.
The initiative presented today was addressed primarily to youths who are thinking of giving their life to God in the priesthood or consecrated life. It was held at 6 p.m. in the St. John Lateran Basilica, and was preceded by a concert in the Square by one of the most prolific and original composer/artists of Italy: Angelo Branduardi, who presented his latest CD dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi.
The organizers said that for this vigil they were inspired in "the meeting of the Apostles Simon and Andrew with the Messiah, who changed their lives and made them pilgrims of 'yes,' thus beginning a journey toward liberty and love."
After reading a passage from St. John's Gospel, there was an exchange of testimonies, songs, Eucharistic adoration, and times of prayer. Among the participants were Archbishop Giuseppe Pittau, secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education, who for many years was a missionary in Japan, and Cardinal Vinko Puljic, Archbishop of Sarajevo. The singers included unforgettable names like Sister Piera Cori and Fr. Giosy Centro. The vigil was celebrated in four languages: Italian, English, French, and Spanish.
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