JUBILEE IN THE WORLD:
MANY SIGNS OF GREAT PASTORAL VITALIY

A far-reaching confrontation, with the participation of representatives from the five continents, on pastoral plans, initiatives and programmes relating not only to this year but to the whole of 1999, the final year of preparation for the jubilee event. This was the reason for the meeting held in the Synod Hall in the Vatican from 10 to 12 February between the Central Committee and the Delegates of the Episcopal Conferences; a meeting which ended with an audience with the Holy Father and was immediately followed by a meeting of the Central Committee.

After the greeting of Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, president of the Central Committee for the Great Jubilee, the assembly works developed based on an introductory report by the General Secretary Mgr. Crescenzio Sepe on "Pastoral prospects for the years 1998-1999 and the Calendar 2000 project" and on the presentation of a "welcome plan" which the same Mgr. Sepe explained to those present. In the course of the discussion, all those responsible for the Commissions and Committees of the Central Committee presented the results obtained so far in the works of the respective organisms. A vast discussion arose around all this information and these reports in which the numerous delegates from the Episcopal Conferences and the fraternal delegates who had been invited to attend the Assembly participated.

The outcome was a report on the Jubilee in the world, up-dated to the last two years of preparation, from which clearly emerged the eminently spiritual nature of the great event that will help not only Christians but the whole of humanity to live fully the passing of a millennium. The signs of vitality coming from the various local Churches are numerous and encouraging, Mgr. Sepe said, beginning from the extraordinary popularity of Tertio Millennio Adveniente, which must be considered as the great charter of spirituality as well as the guiding compass from the theological and pastoral point of view for the whole Jubilee of the Millennium. In the introductory report Mgr. Sepe pointed out how the year dedicated to the Holy Spirit will be rich in spiritual fruits above all with a view to a deepening that involves all parishes and diocesan communities, through their national delegates, animating all pastoral activity. In their pastoral plans, the Central Committee particularly invites them to emphasise the action of the Holy Spirit in the sacraments, especially in the sacrament of Confirmation, and to stress the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the liturgical year, laying particular emphasis on decisive times such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Pentecost, as well as the great feasts of the Most Holy Trinity and Corpus Christi.

The General Secretary also explained what he intends to propose as the Central Committee's guide-initiative for the entire year of the Holy Spirit. The starting point will be John Paul II's Encyclical Dominum et Vivificantem, based on the indications the Holy Father gave in Tertio Millennio Adveniente. Every three months there will be a symposium devoted to reflection and witness on each of the Encyclical's three chapters: on the theme of Ecumenism, (The Spirit given to the Church); on the social and political reality (The Spirit who convinces the world concerning sin); on culture and art (The Spirit who gives life). Representatives from several Christian Churches, the most important members of the international ruling class and some of the most illustrious scientists and artists of our time will participate as speakers or witnesses. It will terminate at the end of the year with a very lively and effective performance on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, which will be expounded by personalities of eminent world renown in the various fields of their competence. Similar initiatives will be carried out in 1999, the year dedicated to the Father, following the plan of the Encyclical Dives in Misericordia.

Mgr. Sepe also explained the criteria that inspired the draft of the Holy Year Calendar under examination by the Central Committee. It will be a single Calendar that, following the liturgical year, presents a series of extraordinary or new events that will characterise the Jubilee. Particular importance will be given to the "decisive times", with celebrations aiming at the jubilee year, on themes of conversion, the renewal of faith, pilgrimage. A special celebration and an appropriate aid are foreseen for the end of the millennium Vigil. The Calendar will involve all members of the People of God, and particular importance will be given to Ecumenism, to the memory of the New Martyrs, to some Beatifications and Canonizations. The Holy Father will administer the seven sacraments on days dedicated to the various categories. In particular, on 18 May, on the occasion of his 80^th birthday, John Paul II will administer the sacrament of Orders to priests.

In his second report, in which he presented the plan for welcoming pilgrims, Mgr. Sepe stressed that also for this aspect the main dimension is the spiritual one, which will involve the religious communities of the Roman Basilicas and all the parishes and dioceses of Italy, and will be concretised in the formation of pastoral animators, confessors, volunteers and specialised guides for the religious programmes. Illustrative books on the Roman basilicas, the catacombs and other historical places of worship are being prepared in various languages. Operative organisations for the realisation of the "Welcome Plan" will be the Peregrinatio ad Petri Sedem and the Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi; not only will receptive structures of every kind be used for hospitality, but also religious Institutes and private houses; a special "pilgrim's map" will accompany the faithful throughout their stay in Rome. Finally, Mgr. Sepe explained the agreement drawn up with Telecom Italia for providing an informational network of telecommunications throughout the world – already in progress - and destined to place the apostolic Nunciatures and Episcopal Conferences "on line" with the Central Committee for the Great Jubilee. A service Centre and a system of telephone information in various languages are foreseen as well as a specific Internet Web site for the Jubilee.