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world youth day 2005 |
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Rome, Florence, Lucerne and Heidelberg ... The Rome, Florence, Lucerne, Cologne, and Heidelberg churches, cathedrals and monuments have historical significance in the faith and devotion of Catholicism in Western Europe and the Mediterranean. The significance of Rome lies primarily in the fact that it is the city of the pope . The Bishop of Rome, as the successor of St. Peter, is the Vicar of Christ on earth and the visible head of the Catholic Church . Rome is consequently the center of unity in belief, the source of ecclesiastical jurisdiction and the seat of the supreme authority which can bind by its enactments the faithful throughout the world Rome is the heart, home, and spiritual capital for one billion Roman Catholics around the world. St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican offers everyone from the wandering tourist to the devout pilgrim an experience never to be forgotten. For centuries both places have been the pinnacle point of all European pilgrimages. 
Rome, more than any other city, bears witness both to the past splendor of the pagan world and to the triumph of Christianity . It is here that the history of the Church can be traced from the earliest days, from the humble beginnings in the Catacombs to the majestic ritual of St. Peter's. First built in 337, then rebuilt in 1626, St. Peter's Basilica lies over the tomb of St. Peter. For the past 1,800 years, popes, queens, kings, saints, Catholics, non-Catholics, merchants, soldiers, peasants, pilgrims, tourists, and vacationers alike have stepped inside St. Peter's Basilica to both pray, as well as admire the incredible artworks, which reflect the great glory of God. The basilica has also been the site of twenty-one ecumenical councils, numerous canonization ceremonies, and thousands of major papal events. In addition to St. Peter's, Rome also boats dozens of other majestic and masterpiece basilicas and churches, including the Basilica of St. John Lateran (the cathedral and see of the Archdiocese of Rome), the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. At every turn one comes upon places hallowed by the deaths of the martyrs, the lives of innumerable saints, the memories of wise and holy pontiffs . From Rome the bearers of the Gospel message went out to the peoples of Europe and eventually to the uttermost ends of the earth. Few cities have affected more profoundly the course of civilization than Florence. Among the great poets Dante was a Florentine, while Petrarch and Boccaccio were sons of Florentines. Among the great painters Giotto found in Florence patronage and a proper field for his genius. Fra Angelico (Giovanni da Fiesole) was a Florentine, likewise Masaccio and Donatello. Unrivalled sculptors, like Lorenzo Ghiberti and Michelangelo , architects like Brunelleschi, universal savants like Leone Battista Alberti, shine like brilliant gems in the city's diadem of fame, and mark in some respects the highest attainments of humanity.  Lucerne is the the capital of the Swiss canton of Lucerne , lies on the Reuss River at Lake Lucerne.
The population is mainly German-speaking and Roman Catholic.
Two of the seven bridges crossing the Reuss date from the 13th and 14th centuries. Other notable structures include the Hofkirche (cathedral; 8th century), the town hall (built 1601-06), Am Rhyn House (1617), and the Mariahilf Church (1676-81). An international music festival is held each summer. Lucerne was settled around the monastery of Saint Leodegar in the 8th century. It flourished as a trade center under Habsburg rule (1291-1332) and then joined the Swiss Confederation. It led the Catholic cantons of Switzerland in the civil wars of the Reformation (1529-31) and the Sonderbund (1847) and served (1798-1803) as the capital of the Helvetic Republic. Germany's Heidelberg roots in the Catholic Church run deep. The name Heidelberg is derived from the German word Heiligenberg that means "Holy Mount". Lorsch Monastery was erected in the year 764. In 863 and 1130, the monasteries of St. Michael and Neuberg Monastery were founded respectively. The Bishop of Worms founded Schoenau Monastery therein 1142. From these religious roots at the foot of a Worms castle, Heidelberg developed and prospered. 
Heidelberg's beauty attracted poets including Arnim, Brentano, Hölderlin, Eichendorff and Goethe and composers such as Schumann, C.M. von Weber, and Brahms. Royalty lived there including Prince Elector Ruprecht III (1398 - 1410), Prince Elector Philipp (1476 - 1508), Ottheinrich (1556 - 1559) Friedrich IV (1583 - 1610). Friedrich V (1613 - 1619), and Prince Elector Karl Ludwig (1649 - 1680). Throughout the summer, the courtyard of the Heidelberg Castle is the site of open-air musicals, operas and theatre performances and classical concerts such as the famous Heidelberg City Orchestra's "Castle Serenades." According to ancient legend a disciple of Saint Peter was the first Bishop of Cologne, but the first historically authenticated bishop was Saint Maternus, who was present in 314 at the Synod of Arles. The Archbishopric of Cologne was founded in 785 soon become one of the most influential cities in the Holy Roman Empire. Cologne, the site of World Youth Day 2005, was the fourth city after Jerusalem, Byzantium and Rome to bear the designation "Sancta" (holy) in the city name: "Holy Cologne, faithful daughter of the Roman church by the grace of God." 
Learning has always been zealously cultivated in the cathedral school, in the collegiate chapters, and the cloisters; famous philosophers taught in Cologne. Rupert of Deutz, Caesarius of Heisterbach, Duns Scotus, and Blessed Albertus Magnus were among them. Cologne is known as the "German Rome," and has been annually visited by pilgrims, especially after Rainald of Dassel, Archbishop of Cologne (1159-67), brought the remains of the Three Magi from Milan. Cologne's mighty cathedral, "the Dom" was erected as a burial church in their honor. The whole edifice covers an area of about 7370 square yards; it has a nave 445 feet long, five aisles, and a transept 282 feet wide with three aisles; the height of the nave is about 202 feet, that of the two towers, 515 feet. Among the numerous works of art at the Cathedral, the most famous are the picture (Dombild) painted by Stephen Lochner about 1450, the triptych over the high altar, the 96 choir seats of the sanctuary, and the shrine in which are kept the relics of the Three Kings in the treasury of the sacristy. 
In addition to the world famous Dom, twelve large Roman collegiate and monastery churches, stand as a major architectural testimony to the "spiritual" influence on this area. These historical areas stand as foundation stones of the faith and truth for youth and elder alike. Young Christians from around the world will be welcomed to Cologne Germany, in August 2005 for the 20th World Youth Day. They will participate in various papal activities and gatherings carrying on the special tradition in celebration of universal faith and fellowship. Club Europa invites you and your youth group to participate in this wonderful pilgrimage.
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sample tour 3
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Overnight Florence
