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It
was founded by Pius XI at the conclusion of the extraordinary Jubilee
of Redemption. On that occasion, the Central Committee, set up that
same Holy Year 1933-1934 to assist all pilgrims coming to Rome, See of
the Vicar of Christ, was established as a permanent Office.
Paul
VI erected it Canonical Body in 1972 and reorganized it in 1977, thus
confirming a series of spiritual initiatives born during the Holy Year
1975.
On
January 16, 1997 John Paul II granted it new Statutes which emphasized
its pastoral characteristics and specified its purpose and nature:
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To be at the service of particular Churches in order to promote the
spiritual and material assistance to pilgrims visiting Peter’s See
thus enabling them to testify their faith in the best circumstances in
their devotion to the Apostles Peter and Paul and to the Roman Martyrs
and in their encounter with the Holy Father. Its specific task is to
coordinate and assist all those pilgrims, whether groups or
individuals, who have come for their pious visit to Peter’s See,
especially for ecclesial events promoted by the Holy See.
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To implement the provisions of the Central Committee during the Holy
Years in order to ensure the appropriate reception of pilgrims
travelling from Dioceses located throughout the world to Peter’s See,
in response to the appeals of the National and Diocesan Committees
encouraging pilgrimages to Rome.
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To give assistance and coordinate the flow of pilgrims directed to the
various world Sanctuaries to participate in religious events led by
the Holy Father.
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To encourage the participation of the most needy to the
above-mentioned pilgrimages.
The
Board of Directors and the Pastoral Council are the bodies of the
Peregrinatio. The Board of Directors endorses annual programs and
balance sheets and expresses its opinion on major issues. The Pastoral
Council, whose members are multinational and multilingual Pastoral
workers, is in charge of issues concerning the spiritual activity of
the pilgrims in order to fulfil the religious goals of the
Peregrinatio.
The
Holy Father appoints the President of the Peregrinatio.
The
Peregrinatio appoints its Delegates in different parts of the world in
agreement with the Ecclesiastic Authorities of the local Churches.
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