Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Aachen (Agenzia Fides) - "Supporting children, protecting children - in Indonesia and in the world" is the motto with which the Star Singers, as part of their 65th awareness campaign, draw attention to girls and boys from all over the world who suffer violence.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), one billion children and adolescents are exposed to physical, sexual or psychological violence every year. The Epiphany 2023 campaign raises awareness among the children of German Missionary Childhood that their peers around the world have the right to be protected, both in this year's symbolic country, Indonesia, and in Germany and the rest of the world, emphasizing that it is the duty of adults to guarantee this right of children.
"I am looking forward to the Singers to personally bring the blessing to people's doors again at the beginning of the year. The door-to-door visit, the blessing, the collection of donations, the singing: it is a wonderful campaign that is nourished by meetings. When the singers come to the doors of the houses, the Church comes to the homes of the people with good news", says Father Dirk Bingener, President of the German Missionary Childhood, speaking about the upcoming campaign.
At the end of the year that just ended, the Singers began their 65th campaign going from house to house. After two pandemic winters, the girls and boys involved can once again personally apply their blessing message to the doors of homes throughout Germany and collect donations for needy children around the world.
Dressed in their costumes of Magi, with their Star and their songs during Christmas time and in the early days of the new year the "Star Singers" go around visiting German homes. The children from Catholic parishes in Germany carry the "C+M+ B" blessing ("Christus mansionem benedicat - Christ bless this house") to the families, collecting donations for other children their age who suffer throughout the world.
Since it started in 1959, the Star Singers Campaign has grown into the largest solidarity campaign in the world by children for children. Children's projects have been supported in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Oceania and Eastern Europe.
Aktion Dreikönigssingen uses the funds to support projects around the world in the fields of education, health, pastoral care, nutrition and social integration.
A delegation of Star Singers from different countries participated on Sunday, January 1, 2023 in the celebration for the World Day of Peace presided over by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Before the celebration, the Holy Father was presented with a blue and yellow friendship bracelet from Ukraine. Ukrainian children from a German Missionary Childhood-supported project had sent it to the Star Singers as a thank you for their support and as a sign of hope for peace in the war-torn country. It is the 18th time since 2001 that the Star Singers have participated in a New Year's celebration at the Vatican. (MS) (Agenzia Fides, 5/1/2023)
