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I still have vivid memories of the great Celebration of Forgiveness lived during the GMG. At the Circo Massimo the number of confessions exceeded all expectations: 1800 priests registered but certainly more than 2000 came to hear confessions, including many bishops. I wish to thank from my heart all those who acted as valuable instruments of that torrent of grace which flooded over the Circo Massimo. First of all the many co-workers who made this decisive appointment of the Jubilee possible. I have already received numerous personal testimonies from priests in various parts of the world: they all agree that the experience was unforgettable and offered a powerful boost to their ministry. I would add that I saw them firmly united and generous in the gift of reconciliation. Many of them said they rediscovered the joy of being a priest on that occasion. Thanks to God and thanks to them. About 120 and 180 thousand young people were able to receive the Sacrament. They demonstrated in this way a powerful need for paternity present today in very many young people. Knowing the decisive importance attributed by young people to friendship, I saw first hand that their greatest joy is to see the walls which separate them from friends and from God demolished. They were the first to appreciate the presence of their peers who helped them to turn to the Merciful Lord and who rendered the Sacrament of Forgiveness nearer to their sensitivity fostering an atmosphere of prayer and special encounter with Jesus, but also testifying with smiles and clasping of hands the rejoicing of the whole Church for newly found joy. For this I thank the 200 young people from Sassuolo, who prepared for this "ministry" for over a year beforehand and I include in the thanks some young people of the GAM and seminarians of the Legionaries of Christ, who offered their help during the days of confessions. A special word of thanks goes also to those who accompanied us with the assistance and support of prayer: parents, friends, enclosed nuns and many more whose names we do not know. Out of all the wonders we saw, lastly I thank the Lord who surprised us with the privilege of living days which were more of heaven than of earth. Many said in fact that it was like being in heaven and others rightly said it they had experienced the joy of a new Pentecost. My wish for all of you, young people and priests, is that you may keep, nourish and spread the peace and joy which the Lord gave us at the Circo Massimo Rev. Luca Ferrari Head of Confessions Service Comitato Italiano GMG 2000 Anyone wishing to share his or her reflections or testimony on the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the Circo Massimo may send them to Rev. Luca Ferrari via ss. Consolata 105, 41049 Sassuolo (MO) tel 0536 872512 tel – fax 0536 873510 e-mail: circomassimo@tin.it |