Chinese WYD pilgrims arrive in Rome

Ave Maria in Chapel of Three Kings

Source: Vatican News

A group of 50 young Chinese Catholics and catechumens arrived in Rome yesterday on the first stop of their European pilgrimage on the way to World Youth Day in Lisbon. Although it was incredibly hot day, and they had just completed a 12 hour flight, the young people said they were thrilled to be there.

Accompanied by some adults and older relatives, they visited the Congregation of Propaganda Fide, where they were welcomed by Mgr Samuele Sangalli, Undersecretary of the Dicastery, on behalf of the Pro-Prefect, Cardinal Luis Tagle.

All the pilgrims, who came from different provinces of mainland China, were given a special rosary at the historic headquarters of the Congregation of Propaganda Fide, which had sent missionaries such as Matteo Ricci and Father Teodorico Pedrini to China in the 17th century.

They all immediately wore the missionary rosary around their necks. Then, in the Chapel of the Three Kings, the work of the great artist Francesco Borromini, they sang Ave Maria in their mother tongue (see video).

Some were moved to tears by the experience of praying in the place from which so many missionaries left, in past eras, to bring the gift of the Gospel to China.

During their visit they also listened to the story of Cardinal Celso Costantini, the first Apostolic Delegate in China, who after his years spent on Chinese soil became Secretary of the Missionary Congregation, working in the Palace in Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps).

After Rome, the group will visit Assisi, Avignon, Lourdes, Zaragoza, Madrid and Salamanca, before heading to Lisbon.

See a video of the pilgrims singing Ave Maria: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JTuCrwfkXY