To mark the tenth anniversary of the Camino Lituano pilgrimage route, organizers plan to publish a book. Marius Minkevičius, a board member, stated that the project avoided paid advertising since its inception. The route spans approximately 500 kilometers from Latvia to Poland, starting near Lazdijai. The first pilgrim completed the entire path in 2019. The initiative emphasizes community involvement and safety, avoiding highways. The upcoming publication aims to explore the spiritual and cultural significance of the journey, reflecting on modern societal trends regarding solitude and identity.
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On October 16, a charity auction titled 'Merkinė Organs' took place at the Palace of the Grand Dukes in Vilnius, Lithuania. The event aimed to raise funds for restoring historic church organs. Among the 80 lots, a surprise item was a sack of potatoes donated by Algis Pigaga from Merkinė. After intense bidding, the sack sold for 150 euros. The organizers, violinist Barbora Valiukevičiūtė-Žeižytė and painter Algimantas Rokas Černiauskas, stated the goal was to highlight heritage. The total raised across three auctions reached approximately 45,000 euros. Pigaga expressed surprise at the price, joking he would donate more next time.
Salesian priest Alessandro Barelli has lived in Lithuania for nearly twenty years, having arrived in 1998 after initial summer visits began in 1994. In a recent interview with Rimas Šapauskas, Barelli discussed his work with youth and the origins of his mission. He explained that a local priest in Alytus initially requested volunteers to lead summer camps. Impressed by his engagement with Lithuanian youth, the global Salesian leader invited Barelli to move permanently. He arrived in October 1998, marking the start of his long-term ministry in the country. (Bernardinai)
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The Vilnius Archdiocese Caritas Mother and Child Home in Lithuania celebrated its 30th anniversary. Director Vida Neverovič-Markūnienė noted that while the facility began by helping homeless young mothers, current challenges include substance abuse and war refugees. The center now supports school-aged children and Ukrainian families, such as one from Zaporizhzhia. The team expanded to ten staff members and relies on over 80 volunteers to provide housing and psychological aid. The institution remains vital for vulnerable women and children in the region.
Lithuanian young people are registering for World Youth Day in South Korea faster than organizers expected. Laurynas Būda, a coordinator for the John Paul II Pilgrim Community, notes that interest from schools and universities has surpassed planned campaigns. A group from Kaunas has filled its fifty spots. Participants prepare through meetings to discuss intentions and local culture. The event includes diocesan days and a final gathering in Seoul. Būda emphasizes that the pilgrimage helps youth understand themselves and the global Church, despite physical fatigue and unexpected changes in living arrangements with host families.
The 25th anniversary of the Sielos contemporary Christian music and arts festival will take place in Palanga, Lithuania, from October 19 to 25. Remigijus Jucevičius, head of the Good News Center, highlights the event's ecumenical nature and its goal to share the Gospel through various art forms. Notable performers include Tomas Bieliūnas-T-Buck and the group Jautì. The festival, organized by volunteers without state funding, features music, theater, and poetry. A special service will be held on October 25 at the Palanga Evangelical Church, supported by bishops Kęstutis Kėvalas and Mindaugas Sabutis.
After thirty-five years of serving the poor in Kretinga, Lithuania, the Congregation of the Missionaries of Charity, commonly known as Mother Teresa's Sisters, is departing. Telšius Bishop Algirdas Jurevičius announced the departure during a solemn mass on October 18. The bishop stated that the sisters are leaving because Lithuania now has a strong social welfare system, meaning their specific mission to aid the most vulnerable has been fulfilled. He thanked the sisters for their dedication and presented them with a book on the diocese's history and a financial donation for their future work elsewhere. The event also commemorated the centenary of the Telšius diocese and the 50th anniversary of the local monastery's restoration.
Tomas Narkevicius, a former lukewarm Catholic in Lithuania, transformed his life after his wife encouraged him to attend the Alpha course. Initially skeptical, he joined due to curiosity and the promise of sandwiches. The experience deepened his faith and understanding of the Church. Now, he volunteers leading Alpha sessions for homeless individuals at the Caritas Betanija center in Vilnius. His conversion also improved family relationships, as his children and in-laws eventually joined the program. Narkevicius credits the course with opening new opportunities for service and personal growth.
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