Rome: the Congregation for the Clergy organizes again the World Days for Priests
After three years, the Vatican is organizing again the World Days for Priests, renaming them International retreats for priests. The next such retreat will take place at Lourdes in October, on the eve of the anniversary of the pontificate of John Paul II.
The last international meeting of priests took place in Rome during the Jubilee Year 2000. The Congregation for the Clergy, presided over by the Colombian Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, has decided to give a new impetus to this project, on the occasion of the popes 25th anniversary.
Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos has decided to resume these meetings, which had gathered together close to 2000 priests from all over the world on each occasion. Even if the form has not changed, they will from now on be called International retreats for priests. This year the meeting will take place at Lourdes from October11 to 15, on the theme Totus tuus, the motto of John Paul II, who will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his election to the See of Peter on October 16.
During these five days, the participants will spend time in prayer and meditation under the guidance of Cardinals Jean-Marie Lustiger, Archbishop of Paris, Joachim Meisner, Archbishop of Cologne, Ivan Dias, Archbishop of Bombay and Antonio Maria Rouco, Archbishop of Madrid among others.
