NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN CITY, JUL 30 (ZENIT).- Children and adolescents from around the world are invited to come to Rome for the first major event of the Jubilee of 2000 -- the Children's Jubilee. This event will climax with a meeting with the Holy Father on January 2. At the festivities, these young people will renew their commitment to be "apostles of joy."

      The Organizing Committee suggests a twelve-stage preparation for the teachers and children who will come to Rome. "Receive an invitation, plan, leave, get to know one another, walk, meet, rest, find out where you are, arrive, celebrate, return, and tell others" are the proposed twelve steps of the Jubilee pilgrimage.

      The Committee explains that the children should receive a letter inviting them to come to St. Peter's Square to celebrate the Lord's coming into the world. The children's enthusiastic response should quickly become a plan.

      Ideally, the children will meet fellow pilgrims during their trip. They will walk together, learning that the true friends of Jesus are friends of the poor. A rest at the catacombs is planned to help the children live the brotherhood of the Christian family.

      The next morning, the children will have to find the right street to get to St. Peter's Square. Together, they will pass the Holy Door, renewing their profession of faith, thanking Jesus, the Good Shepherd, for his goodness and mercy.

      This is followed by the great celebration with the Pope, including the celebration of the Eucharist. After all these experiences, the Committee hopes that the children will return home to tell all their friends about their experiences, witnessing to the gift of newness of life that enlightens their existence. ZE990730

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