PILGRIMAGE OF VIDA ASCENDENTE SPAIN,
PORTUGAL AND SWITZERLAND TO FATIMA AND SANTIAGO
From September 26 to October 1, 2022, Vida Ascendente made a pilgrimage from Fatima to Santiago that culminated with the celebration of the Pilgrim's Mass in the Cathedral of Santiago on October 1. Jubilee year and day dedicated to the elderly.
The solemn Eucharist was concelebrated by the Auxiliary Bishop of Santiago, Msgr. Francisco José Prieto, and the spirituals councilors of Vida Ascendente who participated in this pilgrimage. In his homily, the Bishop highlighted the work done by Vida Ascendente in the apostolate of the elderly. The national president of the Movement read a greeting addressed by Pope Francis to the pilgrims of Vida Ascendente.
In this pilgrimage we were joined by members of the Movement of Portugal and Switzerland, so it had an international connotation that allowed us to share the references of the Movement in the framework of the Apostleship of the Elderly. In a globalized world of consumption, this international environment allows us to globalize the references that give meaning to our lives.
In Santiago, three workshops were organized during which training conferences were given by:
- His Excellency José Mazuelos, Bishop of the Canary Islands and President of the Episcopal Sub-Commission for the Family and the Defense of Life: the Elderly, Transmitters of the Faith in the Family.
- Luis Manuel Romero, Director of the Commission for Laity, Family and Life of the Spanish Episcopal Conference: The elders, agents of the new evangelization.
- Vittorio Scelzo, Head of Pastoral Care for the Elderly of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life in the Vatican: The Elderly and the Pandemic of Loneliness
After the pilgrim's solemn Mass, the pilgrims of Vida Ascendente returned home with a lively spirit for the apostolate and a heart enlightened by love.
You can find the videos of the lectures given in the workshops and a photographic selection in the pilgrimages tab (Spirituality / Pilgrimages) of the Vida Ascendente (vidaascendente.es) page. The link is as follows:
https://vidaascendente.es/peregrinaciones/
Jaime Tamarit
Vice President of Vida Ascendente