Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Aachen (Fides Service) - For the 50th time around the 6th of January the feast of the Epiphany, German boys and girls, members of the German branch of the Pontifical Missionary Childhood Society Sternsinger, will take part in a fund raising door to door carol singing campaign organised in collaboration with the Union of German Catholic Youth BDKJ, with the motto “Sternsinger for a united world”. The motto underlines the children's efforts to help less fortunate children in developing countries. The 50th Jubilee year was presented last September in the foyer of Cologne Cathedral with about 100 children forming a live portrayal of the Sternsinger 2008 Poster, showing children gathered round the globe of the world (see Agenzia Fides 19/09/200/).
“Instead of the usual 'symbol country' , for our Jubilee this year we decided to underline the global commitment of our Sternsinger children. We also wanted to celebrate the fact that this is the most extensive initiative of solidarity involving children helping children in the whole world” said BDKJ President, Rev Andrea Mauritz.
Dressed as the Three Wise Men who came from the east following a star to find the Infant born in Bethlehem, the children go from door to door singing carols and collecting offerings. The initiative involves about half a million children in 12,500 Catholic parishes all over the country. Before leaving the homes they visit the children chalk the year and the letters C+M+B (Christus mansionem benedicat - may Christ bless this house”) over the door way. The sternsinger fund raising campaign has spread to other countries and has become the world's greatest charity event involving children to help children in need all over the world.
The official opening of the 50th Sternsinger campaign will take place on 2 January 2008 in Speyer. About 500 delegates from all over Germany will take part in a whole day of workshops followed by a mission sending ceremony. Around the same date a Sternsinger delegation will visit German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who wrote in a message for the 50th anniversary of the initiative: “You Sternsinger are messengers of charity and peace. You are committed to promoting the rights of children everywhere in the world … and your message reaches the whole world. A message which does much to fill the gap between rich and poor: eliminating prejudice, forming new friendships, overcoming fears and making dreams come true.”
The President of Missionary Childhood Germany, Mgr Winfried Pilz, will accompany a group of 44 Sternsinger, carrying their shining stars, to a Mass presided by Pope Benedict XVI in St Peter's on January 1, 2008. (MS) (Agenzia Fides 20/12/2007 - 38 righe, 496 parole)
