Karl Hila writes… “The Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida is the second biggest Basilica in the world (after St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican). But I was told that the organizers of SSVP #Romaria2015 moved the venue of the Eucharist tomorrow to the open space on the hill at the back because SSVP members won’t fit inside. I was told that this is the first time that it will happen outside the Basilica.”

Karl is the youth representative of the Society of  St. Vincent dePaul. Visit Karl Hila on Facebook

Dom Darci Nicioli, bishop of the Archdiocese of Aparecida in Brazil celebrated  the Mass closing of the 45th National Pilgrimage of the Vincentian to Aparecida.

For the Bishop Don Darci, the Vincentians are the hope of a better world. “Weaving the charity, with the thread Jesus and the Gospel, and with marriage, you will be real Christians, changing the structures. I can not conceive that in the middle of the Municipal Health Committee, Education and general policy there are not present members of SSVP. Vincentians must act there where the public policies that can meet the most needy. The Christian can not cower in the face of situations that oppress the poor. We can not lose hope. ”

It was at Aparecida that the last general assembly of the Conference of Latin American Bishops (CELAM) took place, in 2007. And Bergoglio, who was a cardinal at the time was one of the key figures who helped prepare the final document which many see as containing the seeds of his pontificate.