The altar boys and girls from the diocese of Münster used the beginning of the week to explore Rome, always on the lookout for drinking water fountains – and for shade.
There is hardly a city with as much culture as Rome: ancient buildings stand close to baroque churches, narrow alleys lead into expansive squares. The 750 altar boys and girls from the diocese of Münster who are taking part in the altar boy pilgrimage used the start of the week to get an impression of the city. This also applies to 31 altar boys and girls from Horstmar, Metelen and Ochtrup in the Steinfurt district.
“I imagined the city to be smaller, with everything closer together,” says Marlene (12) from Metelen. “Rome is really huge.” She and her fellow travelers are not discovering the city on a conventional tour, but on their own – supported by information in the pilgrim’s book of the Münster diocese.
Helpers provide information about the sights
Helpers from the diocese are stationed at special points such as the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon and Castel Sant’Angelo. Recognizable by their orange baseball caps, they reveal further details to the groups – and answer the most important questions. For example: “Where is the nearest drinking water fountain?”
After starting at the Piazza del Popolo, the group from Horstmar, Metelen and Ochtrup goes to Villa Borghese. The park offers shade, which the children and young people gratefully seek out.
Mini fan and drinking breaks
Lientje (12) from Ochtrup has found a way to combat the heat: “My friend and I both have a mini fan with us.” The group continues to the Spanish Steps. The group takes many breaks for drinks, which Pastor Thomas Stapper uses here and there to provide additional information.
“How high do you think the obelisk is?” Silas from Münster asks the group. He says that there have been answers as high as 90 meters. “It’s only 14 meters, but it seems higher.”
Pilgrimage Center at St. Peter’s Basilica
After stops at the Trevi Fountain, the Church of Sant’Ignazio, Piazza Navona and Castel Sant’Angelo, the groups reach St. Peter’s Basilica and the nearby, cool pilgrim center. Near Castel Sant’Angelo, all altar boy groups from the diocese receive their food packages.
The Roman transport companies have “warned” of 50,000 altar boys and girls. On Platform X, “Roma Mobilita” referred to the Pope’s audience for the altar boys on Tuesday afternoon, to which many young people would flock to the Vatican.
2024-07-30 11:48:57
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