Vatican City, May 5, 2013 / 05:28 am
Drawing on the experience of the Latin American Church, Pope Francis called on groups dedicated to specific saints to grow in their faith, help unite the Church and evangelize through their public acts of devotion.
"Three words, don't forget them: Evangelical spirit, ecclesial spirit, missionary spirit. Let us ask the Lord always to direct our minds and hearts to him, as living stones of the Church, so that all that we do, our whole Christian life, may be a luminous witness to his mercy and love," the Pope told the thousands of devotees gathered May 5 in St. Peter's Square.
Most of the pilgrims began arriving in Rome this past Friday, and their colorful outfits brought a certain flair to the streets surrounding the Vatican. They came for the Year of Faith weekend event dedicated to confraternities – groups of Catholics who are dedicated to a particular saint or spirituality – many of which have ancient roots.
The culmination of the weekend was a Mass that Pope Francis celebrated with them in St. Peter's Square at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 5.