Press release: the Jubilee for volunteers with Pope Francis close to the victims and rescue workers of the earthquake in central Italy

The Celebration Planned for Saturday, September 3 at 20:00 has been Cancelled

In a time in which so many families are suffering due to the unexpected loss of loved ones, the destruction of their homes, and the precarious conditions around them, we feel ourselves profoundly near to them, to give comfort and support with the strength of faith and the consolation of Mercy. Volunteers throughout the world pass this day of the Jubilee Year alongside all of those in need of support and most immediate help.  

For this reason, there will be a change to the schedule for the Jubilee for Workers of Mercy and Volunteers, taking place from 2 to 4 September. The welcome festivities for all the volunteers planned for Saturday, 3 September at 20:00 have been cancelled.  We have decided to meet with Pope Francis on Saturday morning at 11:00 and at the Mass on Sunday, 4 September at 10:30, in solidarity with one another: between all those volunteers on pilgrimage in Rome, who seek to strengthen the efforts of the volunteers working in the areas struck by the earthquake, and all those working in these destroyed places, who are spiritually close to the volunteers at Saint Peter’s.

* On the afternoons of Friday, 2 September and Saturday, 3 September, a number of stands run by volunteer associations will still be open in the Gardens of Castel Sant’Angelo.  There will also be the option of the journey “In the Footsteps of the Saints and Blesseds of Mercy” (cf. the revised program attached).

Friday, September 2, 2016

            14:00 - 17:00

                        In the Jubilee Churches: S. Salvatore in Lauro, S. Maria in Vallicella (Chiesa Nuova), S. Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini

                                   Eucharistic Adoration

                                   Sacrament of Reconciliation

                        Pilgrimages through the Holy Door

            14:00 – 20:00 in the Gardens of Castel S. Angelo

                        The opportunity to visit the stands of a number of associations of volunteer workers ìof mercy

            14:00 – 20:00

                        The opportunity to make a journey “In the footsteps of the Saints and Blessed of Mercy”

Saturday, September 3, 2016

            8:30     Preparation for the Catechesis of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square

            10:00   Welcome of the Holy Father in St. Peter’s Square and catechesis to all the world of workers of mercy and volunteers

            14:00    In the Jubilee Churches:  S. Salvatore in Lauro, S. Maria in Vallicella (Chiesa Nuova), S. Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini

                                   Eucharistic Adoration

                                   Sacrament of Reconciliation

            Pilgrimages through the Holy Door continue for those who registered for Saturday

            14:00 – 21:00 in the Gardens of Castel S. Angelo

-          In the Gardens of Castel S. Angelo it will be possible to visit the stands of a number of associations of volunteer workers of mercy