Cologne, Germany, Aug 18, 2005 / 22:00 pm
World Youth Day organizers report that many pilgrims are receiving the sacrament of reconciliation. They are heading to the Center of Reconciliation, set up by WYD organizers in the Cologne Exhibition Hall.
About 650 confessors are on rotation at the Center of Reconciliation, which opened Wednesday and will run until Friday. One hundred priests are available to hear confessions at the center at any given time, between 9 a.m. and midnight. The sacrament is available in 40 languages.
WYD organizers chose to hold confessions in Halls 6 and 7 of the center because these rooms hold historic significance. It was in these halls that Polish prisoners of war and forced laborers were held during World War II.
Resources to help pilgrims prepare for the sacrament are available in the Pilgrim Guidebook.
The sacrament is expected to be available on Saturday and Sunday at Marienfeld, where the pilgrims will gather for the overnight vigil and mass with Pope Benedict XVI.
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