Last minute preparations are being made for the arrival of nearly 200 young people from all over Europe for the European Youth Pilgrimage of Hope in Rome from the 19th to 25th July 2010. All the provinces, commissariats, and delegations of the Carmelite European area will be represented by young people from Italy, Romania, Malta, Portugal, Spain, France, the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Britain and Ireland.

The opening Mass for the Feast of the Prophet Elijah will be celebrated by the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. in the Basilica of San Martino ai Monti in Rome on the 20th July. A team of young people from the Roman area will work with the organizing committee to make the young pilgrims welcome to their city.

The icon of Our Lady of Hope made its pilgrimage to the communities of the General Delegation of Bohemia and Moravia in the Czech Republic in June. In Prague-Liboc people gathered around the icon and about 300 people came to the Carmel at Kostelní Vydrí. The icon's visit to the Czech Republic ended in Olomouc-Hejcín which has been administered by the Carmelites for 20 years.

Those wishing to follow the programme of the Pilgrimage of Hope in Rome may do so on the Order's website www.ocarm.org. Just click on the Pilgrimage of Hope icon.