Closing of the Year for Priests 9-11 June, Rome

PRIESTS TODAY

An afternoon of testimonies and artistic performances

9 June, 16.00-19.00

Paul VI Hall (Vatican)

15.00

Hall opens

15.30

Introductory Programme

16.00

Choreography

First theme: MEN OF GOD – ICONS OF CHRIST

Introduction: Pope Benedict XVI to priests (on video)

The call and the gift of self

Seminarians and priests from various countries

African Drums

The action of the Holy Spirit in priestly life

Bishop Joseph Grech, Australia (video), a parish priest from Portugal, and lay people from different parts of the world

Faithfulness and the second choice of God

Priests from Ireland and Germany

Song “La Desolata” (Emilio Rocchi – Italy)

The Easter Mystery – liturgy and life

A priest from Venezuela, and a video by don Silvano Cola (Italy)

Brief performance by Gen Verde

Dialogue in small groups / break

17:00

Second theme: BROTHERS TOGETHER IN THE ONE PEOPLE OF GOD

Introduction: Pope Benedict XVI (video)

Song

Theological reflection (Archbishop Ignazio Sanna from Oristano, Italy)

Piano duet

Bishops and priests: a relationship of obedience and unity.

Mario Spaki from the National Secretariat of the Commission for Priests (Brazil)

Song in cappella style (Korea)

Communion among priests

Dialogue on the stage

Pastoral activity in communion: priests, laity and charisms.

A Serbian priest

Brief performance by Gen Verde

Dialogue in small groups / break

18:00

Third theme: PROPHETS OF A NEW WORLD

Introduction: Pope Benedict XVI (video)

Song “Servo per amore”

Some brief thoughts of Chiara Lubich (video) and Fr Josef Kentenich

Voices of our time and the voice of God

Theological reflections by Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz from Chile

A priest from Germany

A brief performance

Begin with “the least”

A Swiss priest

Renewing the “city”

Priests and lay people from Italy

Concluding choreography

CELEBRATION OF VESPERS with Cardinal Claudio Hummes

19:00

CONCLUSION