RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, MAR 8 (ZENIT.org).- For the past 18 years, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal has offered a spiritual retreat as an alternative to the excesses of Carnival. This year, some 30,000 people participated in Monday's Mass. Because of the growth of the event, it is no longer held in "Nossa Senhora da Piedade," as it was ten years ago. Now it is being held in Maracanăzinho stadium to accomodate the crowds.

    Confession and conversion are the central themes of the event, and 158 priests were hearing confessions throughout the event. As of Monday, 4180 confessions had been heard. The four-day rental of the stadium cost $34,500, but collections at the Masses were sufficient to pay for this cost. ZE00030821