Ireland to host first Redemptorist Youth Congress

MORE than 650 young Catholics from 23 countries are expected to travel to Limerick next week for the first-ever Redemptorist Youth Congress to be held in Ireland.

Teenagers from throughout Europe, South America and Asia will participate in the event which will be staged at the University of Limerick from Wednesday August 8 to Monday August 13.

The Congress, entitled Pazzo per Amore — being young and Christian in Europe today, will focus on the challenges young people face in trying to live Christian lives as well as celebrate their common faith.

The biggest single delegation of 170 delegates will travel from Germany which hosted the last congress three years ago.

A highlight of the five-day event will be a Walk for Justice from the University campus to the Redemptorist Church.

The walk will take place on Saturday, August 11 and those taking part will be greeted by the Mayor of Limerick Cllr Ger Fahy.

Fr Gerard Moloney said: “The Congress is part of the Redemptorists’ commitment to youth ministry, and is the eighth such event to take place. The first was held in Italy in 1987.”

Limerick was chosen as host city because of its long association with the Redemptorists.

The first Redemptorist community in Ireland was established in Limerick in the early 1850s.

Fr Moloney said: “As those Redemptorist came from all over Europe, it seems fitting that young people and Redemptorists from throughout Europe should now be invited to gather in the city for this historic event.”

The congress will be attended by the Superior General of the Redemptorists worldwide, Fr Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R., as well as Redemptorist Bishop Kevin Dowling, from South Africa, internationally renowned for his commitment to justice issues and the fight against HIV and Aids.