Rome (AsiaNews) – The 60th anniversary of the foundation of “Aid to the Church in Need” will be celebrated by the Italian branch of the organization in Rome, at the Salesianum (Via della Pisana, 1111) from 11 to 13 May. Benefactors and collaborators will share times of prayer, visits to sites of religious interest and meetings to deepen knowledge about the Church in need.
After Friday, which will be reserved for the welcome, Cardinal Francesco Marchiano will preside over the celebration of opening Mass in the Vatican Grottos on Saturday morning. This will be followed by a visit to the Necropolis, the first burial place of the apostle Peter. Saturday afternoon will be spent in meetings to learn more about the spirituality and history of “Aid to the Church in Need”, with addresses from Mgr Sante Babolin about the spiritual legacy of “Fr Lardo” and Mgr Iwan Dacko, who used to be secretary of Cardinal Sljpy, one of the major exponents of the “Church of silence”. There will also be a talk about the current commitments of this organization by Saverio Legorreta, head of the Latin American projects section.
The meeting will close on Sunday morning with the celebration of Mass at the Marian shrine of Divine Love. Benefactors and collaborators will renew the consecration of Aid to the Church in Need to Our Lady on the day of the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, to whom Fr Werenfried van Straaten consecrated the mission he founded.