VIENNA, Austria, JULY 20, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Austrian bishops consider Benedict XVI's plan to visit their country in September a "great spiritual gift."
The Pope is scheduled to visit Austria next Sept. 7-9, in commemoration of the 850th anniversary of the shrine of Mariazell.
To prepare for the visit, the faithful began a nine-month novena last Dec. 8.
The bishops published a pastoral letter stating that the Holy Father's visit is "a great spiritual gift, given to the Church in Austria" that "will draw the attention of the entire world."
They express their hope that the motto of the Pope's journey, "Look to Christ," will be "the basis for a prosperous Church and its renewal."
In the same letter, the Austrian bishops invite the young people to participate in an Aug. 12-15 pilgrimage to Mariazell for young Christians of Austria and central Europe.
"We bishops will pray with the youth, we will celebrate and dialogue with them," the letter said.
Also in preparation for the Holy Father's visit, the Pontifical Missionary Works in Austria, together with the Archdiocese of Vienna and other Catholic groups, are asking the faithful to pray to the Holy Spirit "for permanent fruits from the Pope's visit."
ZE07072005 - 2007-07-20