The International Pilgrimage of Altar Servers has been regularly gathering in Rome since 1960. The pilgrimage is organized by the Coetus Internationales Ministrantium and presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Jean-Claude HOLLERICH, Archbishop of Luxembourg. The cardinal was pleased to welcome some 50,000 participants to St. Peter’s Square during the last week of July, 2024.
The altar servers came from twenty countries, however, most of them, around 35,000, were from Germany. These representatives of the Church in Germany gave witness to the fact that the Church is alive in Germany and has much more to offer than the “Synodal Way,” which is often criticized internationally.
Several important events were scheduled for the altar servers in addition to those organized by the individual dioceses. The pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Paderborn in Germany were hosted at the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Rome, where they took part in a prayer vigil and a Taizé-style prayer service.
Friars from Germany and Austria also participated, including confreres from the parish church in Asparn, Austria. The friars from Romania who staff five friaries in Upper Bavaria were actively involved. Five of them went to Rome. A group of friars from the friary in Oggersheim, Germany, participated. A number of friars from the friary in Schwarzenberg, Germany, took part and were particularly fortunate to be able to stay overnight at the General Curia. Moreover, they were treated to Conventual hospitality at several places in Italy, such as, Camposampiero, the Vatican College of Penitentiaries, the Seraphicum College in Rome, and Siena, where they made a stop on their way back to Germany.
The highlight for most of the participants was certainly the audience with Pope Francis, who took the opportunity to address a few words to the young people―in German. Despite an intense heatwave in Rome, the participants were happy and satisfied! It is hoped that the young people will return home more motivated to serve at the altar, and that they have gained a broader view of the internationality of the Church
Friar Andreas MURK
