On Thursday, December 28, a lively group of young people arrived at the Assumptionist general house in Rome, a small part of the 40,000 who are gathering in the Eternal City for the annual youth gathering. Three young Assumptionists joined six others (three Hungarians, two Portuguese, and a Pole) at our house.

From 28 December 2012 to 2 January 2013, the city of Rome is hosting the 35^th European meeting of young people. Forty thousand young adults from across the European continent and beyond are gathering in the Italian capital for six days of prayer, reflection and life with parishes, families and religious communities in and around Rome.

Prayer services will be held every day at 2 pm and 7:30 pm in seven large churches of the city, including the major basilicas: St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls.

Meals will be distributed at the Circus Maximus; the afternoon workshops will include visits to the catacombs and other significant places of faith. Today, 29 December at 6 pm, Taizé songs will resonate in St. Peter’s Basilica during a prayer service with Pope Benedict XVI.

Upon arriving in Rome, the participants received a message from Brother Alois, Prior of Taizé, containing four proposals to “uncover the wellsprings of trust in God.”

As he said, “We hope that this meeting in Rome will be a beautiful experience of communion, that young people may discover the Church as a place of friendship, where we meet together beyond all borders. And the One who brings us together is the Risen Christ!”