In preparation for Pope Francis' visit, over 1700 people who wanted to become volunteers responded by mid-July, which is almost twice as many as requested by the organizers of the visit.
Kamilė Janulytė, coordinator of volunteers in Vilnius, told BNS that the number of applicants exceeded expectations, as a maximum of one thousand volunteers will be needed.
"We started selecting volunteers, we certainly won't be able to accept all 1700, because we won't have that many jobs, and when there is nothing for a volunteer to do, that's not good either," K. Janulytė told BNS.
Živilė Šeporaitytė, communication coordinator of the Curia of Vilnius Archdiocese, said that people who are not selected for the volunteer team will be asked to contribute to activities in their parishes.
"We will offer people to volunteer and get involved in their parishes in preparation for the Pope's visit, or in the Carito works, following the Pope's idea to do what he calls us to do." This is also a form of volunteering," she said.
According to K. Janulytė, the largest part of potential volunteers is between 16 and 24 years old, the oldest volunteer is around 80. The majority of those who registered are women.
According to her, appeals were received not only from Vilnius or Kaunas, where the visit will take place events, but from 30 areas of the country.
"These are not only people from Vilnius and Kaunas, they are from towns, cities, villages, people are asking - if I come, will you help me to come, because I really want to see the Pope." There is also the factor that we will have to think about the logistics of volunteers," said K. Janulytė.
A significant number of respondents already have volunteering experience, for example, during the World Youth Day in Poland or in other countries, even in events of a non-religious nature.
They will be asked for various help - to set up meeting places, stand guard at events, assist during religious ceremonies.
"This is help in setting up and preparing visiting places both in Vilnius and Beautiful, on duty at info centers, providing assistance to arriving guests and pilgrims, logistical assistance in parking cars, in the liturgy service", the coordinator mentioned the activities of volunteers.
The necessary volunteers are expected to be selected by mid-August.
Pope Francis will visit Lithuania on September 22-23, he will visit Vilnius and Kaunas, meet with President Dalia Grybauskaite, the community of believers, the disabled, victims of repression, and offer Holy Mass in Kaunas.
Author: Ignas Jačauskas
