A 13-member group of Assumption College community members will be among the approximately two million pilgrims at World Youth Day (WYD) July 23-28 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. WYD is the largest gathering of Catholic and other youth from around the world, and the Assumption contingent is expected to be the only Worcester Diocese-based group at the event. This will be the third WYD trip the college has participated in. The first was in 2002, in Toronto, Canada. The second, in 2011, was in Madrid, Spain.

For the past year, St Anne’s Shrine in Sturbridge, MA has been celebrating its 125^th Anniversary and the uninterrupted celebration of its annual Novena to Saint Anne which begins July 18^th and runs through her feast day on July 26^th.

Begun in 1887, visitors and pilgrims have come to honor Saint Anne as patroness, mother of the Blessed Virgin, grandmother of Jesus, and wife of Saint Joachim. Participants enjoy the beauty and rich tradition of this Catholic tradition in solidarity with many pilgrims of all faiths, diverse cultures and generations. They come seeking physical and spiritual healing, and in this peace-filled atmosphere they find hope, strength and comfort for themselves and their loved ones.

The holy apostles Peter and Paul were honored, following a tradition launched last year, by the celebration of First Vespers, Friday, June 28, at 6 PM at our shrine of St. Peter-in-Gallicantu. The  service was presided by Most Rev. Giuseppe Lazzarotto, the new papal nuncio and apostolic delegate.

The celebration began at the bottom of the outdoor stairway. After reading the account of Jesus’ arres in the Garden of Gethsemani and his transfer the the house of the High Priest, where Peter followed at a distance, we were able to climb the holy stairway putting our feet where Jesus and Peter themselves walked.

Father of all nations and ages, we recall the day when our country claimed its place among the family of nations; for what has been achieved we give you thanks, for the work that still remains we ask your help, and as you have called us from many peoples to be one nation, grant that, under your providence, our country may share your blessings with all the peoples of the earth.

Collect from Mass for Independence Day