Youth Prayer Vigil for John Paul II Slated for Apr. 7
Youth are invited to a prayer vigil at Rome's St. John Lateran Basilica on the evening of Thursday Apr. 7, prior to the funeral of John Paul II.
According to a statement released today by the Vatican, all youth living in Rome and those who have come from throughout the world to pay their final respects to John Paul II and attend the funeral are invited to the event at the cathedral church of the bishop of Rome.
Held on the theme "Be not afraid," the vigil will be presided over by Msgr. Giuseppe Betori, secretary general of the Italian Episcopal Conference. The prayers for John Paul II will commemorate the moments lived with him during World Youth Days, a celebration he established 20 years ago.
Following the vigil a silent candlelight procession, led by the cross of World Youth Day, will proceed through the streets of Rome to the Circus Maximus.
The Vatican reports that St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Agnese in Piazza Navona will remain open until midnight on Thursday for pilgrims who wish to pray and to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. That same evening there will also be a prayer vigil for young people at St. Agnese.
