Italian Association Amici di Raoul Follereau (AIFO)

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A Patron Saint for Human Rights
CANONIZATION OF FATHER DAMIEN
Events - Programme

Events Programme

Fr Damien

Leprosy

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These events are organised by the Congregation Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary with support from AIFO-Italy.

This programme is being evolved. If you are planning to be in Rome for the canonization ceremony or if you wish to join and support any activity, please let us know. The main events and the programme are as follows:

Thursday 8 October 2009 morning, 11 AM: Joint Press conference of Congregation of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary with AIFO/Italy in Vatican radio, Piazza Pia 3, Rome (details to be announced)

Friday 9 October 2009 evening, 8.30 PM: AIFO/Italy's Rome group organises an evening concert of classical music at Oratorio del Carovita, Via del Carovita 7A, Rome to celebrate the canonization of Fr Damien. The concert will involve a group of university students from Aquila university that has been damaged heavily during the recent earthquake.

Saturday 10 October 2009 evening: At 7 PM  Vigil & Prayers organised by Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary congregation at Santa Maria sopra Minerva church in Rome followed by a colourful and joyful celebration outside the church in the Santa Minerva square, on the side of Pantheon in the centre of Rome with music and dances. This joyful celebration wants to proclaim solidarity with persons affected with leprosy and all other marginalised, excluded groups of persons who face discrimination. Participants to this Human Rights celebration are requested to wear colourful dresses, masks, face-paintings, medieval dresses, traditional dresses - anything that adds colours to express joy. Participation will be open to all those, on first come first served basis.

Sunday 11 October 2009 morning, 10 AM: Canonization ceremony in St. Peters square, Vatican city. Persons who wish for reserved seats as part of AIFO group (including international guests from IDEA and ILEP) can also take their tickets from AIFO staff members (Flavio or Davide) during the events on Friday 9th or Saturday 10th.

All the persons who wish to be part of this group are asked to gather at the exit of metro station Ottaviano near the Vatican city before 8 AM on 11 October morning. An AIFO person with the tickets for the whole group will be waiting for them with an AIFO flag. We shall then walk together to St. Peter's square for the canonization ceremony.

Sunday 11 October 2009 afternoon, 5 PM: A "one man show" in English by Rev. Edward D. Evanko of  "Damien of Molokai" written by Aldyth Morris, at Santa Maria del Carmelo in Transpontina church on Via della Conciliazione, organised by Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary congregation. Participation will be open to all those, on first come first served basis.

Monday 12 October 2009 morning, 10 AM: Thanksgiving mass and prayers presided by Cardinal Godfried Danneels, organised by Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary congregation at San Giovanni in Laterano Basilica in Rome. Participation will be open to all those, on first come first served basis.

Monday 12 October 2009 morning, 3.45 PM: Meeting of IDEA and AIFO delegation with office of President of Italy.

In days before and after the canonization: Through AIFO groups, in different schools all over Italy, organisation of events and reflections in middle and high schools about "Human rights and Fr Damien"  (more information will be available under the Italian part of this website)

Saturday 17 October 2009, morning, 9 AM: Reflections on work with leprosy affected persons by St. Francis, Fr Damien and Raoul Follereau, AIFO biannual conference in Assisi (details to be announced)