CHARLESTON—Three trips in 2019 will offer people a chance to encounter the worldwide Church.
Lexie Segrest, associate director of young adult ministry for the diocese, will lead a trip to World Youth Day in Panama City, Panama, from Jan. 19-28, 2019. Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone will then lead two trips to Rome and other locations in Italy as part of the bicentennial celebration for the diocese. The first trip for young adults and families will run June 15-24, 2019, and then an adult pilgrimage will take place Sept. 21-30.
Bishop Guglielmone said the trips are a chance for the faithful of all ages to connect with the history and the enormous outreach of the Church.
“For so many young people, their idea of the Church is just their local parish, and this will be a chance for them to see the Church from a wider perspective,” Bishop Guglielmone said. “For all those who go to Rome, seeing the seat of the worldwide Church can also be a great source of inspiration.”
He said planning the trips to coincide with the bicentennial also helps people reflect on the history of the Diocese of Charleston, since the diocese itself was formed by direction from Rome in 1820.
The days in Rome will include the chance to take part in a papal audience, visit the Sistine Chapel and other Vatican museums, plus famous historic sites such as the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum and the Catacombs. The trips will also include visits to Assisi, Siena and Florence, and participants will attend Mass daily in different basilicas in each city.
The trips are being coordinated by the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
“The visit to Italy will be a real chance for young people especially to grow closer to the Church and grow in holiness, and visiting sites that are so important to Catholic tradition draws us all closer to the Church,” said Jerry White, director.
Two meetings will be held to offer information on the trips, at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Diocese of Charleston’s Pastoral Center, and at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at St. Joseph Church in Columbia. If you are interested in attending one of the meetings, please give advance notice at 843-261-0443 or email mcorder@catholic-doc.org.
Photo/Bigstock: St. Peter’s Basilica is seen within Vatican City in Rome.
