Deepl Translation:
Mechernich/Euskirchen district – As is well known, all roads lead to Rome – including the joint pilgrimage organised by the St Barbara Pastoral Area and Ordo Communionis in Christo in Mechernich from 20 to 27 April 2027. They have once again entrusted the organisational arrangements to the ‘Friends of Rome’ association, led by its chairman Hans Hans-Diethard Eichinger-Heß, who has been organising pilgrimages and study trips for many years.
According to current plans, spiritual guidance will be provided by Deacon Manfred Lang from Mechernich and Father Michael Böck, Director of the German Pilgrimage Centre in Rome. Last year, a joint pilgrimage group from Pastoralem Raum and Communio, under the spiritual guidance of Father Patrick Mwanguhya (Ordo Communionis in Christo) and organised by Diethard Eichinger-Heß, enjoyed unforgettable experiences in the Eternal City during the Holy Year.
“Rome is far more than an open-air museum of world history,” writes Marion Eichinger of the Friends of Rome: “Between St Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum, the Apostles’ tombs and the winding alleys of Trastevere, faith and culture have been coming together in a unique way for almost two millennia.” It is precisely this connection that the organisers wish to enable their fellow travellers to experience, according to Chiara and Stefan Weber: “Not as a hectic city break, but as a carefully planned pilgrimage with time for church services, conversations and personal discoveries.”
Staying above the Vatican
The pilgrimage group will be accommodated at Villa Monte Mario, a monastery on the hill above the Vatican. “The garden and terrace offer one of the most beautiful views of the dome of St Peter’s Basilica,” states the programme announcement: “There, the days begin with a communal morning prayer or service, before the group sets off to explore the city’s spiritual and cultural highlights.”
Just as important as the sightseeing, in the organisers’ view, are the communal dinners and social gatherings. Each participant is to be given sufficient freedom to experience Rome at their own pace. The provisional programme reads like a journey through the history of Christianity and Europe.
Plans include, amongst other things, a papal audience in St Peter’s Square, church services at the German national church of Santa Maria dell’Anima, at the Campo Santo Teutonico within Vatican City, and at the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. In addition, attendance at a Mass in St Peter’s Basilica is planned.
Alongside the spiritual highlights, there will be plenty of time to explore the cultural treasures of the Italian capital. The programme includes, amongst other things, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums, the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and Villa Borghese. Two day trips will also take participants to Pompeii and Tivoli, home to the famous Villa d’Este.
Register now with no obligation
The pilgrimage is specifically aimed at anyone from Mechernich and the surrounding region who is interested – regardless of whether they regularly attend church services or are visiting Rome for the first time. Anyone who enjoys fellowship, culture and spirituality is welcome. The price of the trip is 1,590 euros per person and includes flights, all transfers, accommodation at the monastery with half-board, and the main group programme; individual sightseeing tours can be booked as an extra.
Those interested can register their interest now without obligation. The contact person is Hans-Diethard Eichinger-Heß, telephone (0 22 56) 12 94, mobile 0157/80975690, email hadeich@t-online.de
pp/Agentur ProfiPress
