Commercial presentation Update: 05/04/2024 11:59
Issued by: 05/04/2024, 11:59
Plzeň – Mass for veterans and victims of wars began the second day today with the Celebration of Freedom, the celebration of the liberation of western Bohemia by the American army and the end of the Second World War. At a more than hour-long ceremony in the full St. Barolomeje, which was served in Czech and English by Pilsen Bishop Tomáš Holub, were dozens of descendants of American and Belgian veterans who liberated Pilsen in May 1945. Their representatives read intercessions from the book of Genesis in English and French. The Mass was opened by the Chief of the General Staff of the Army of the Czech Republic, Karel Řehka, and the Governor of the Pilsen Region, Rudolf Špoták (Pirates). The festivities will last until Monday, May 6.
“Unfortunately, the veterans can no longer be present in person, but we want their families to feel at home here. That’s why during the mass, prayers were said in Czech, English and French,” said the Pilsen bishop.
According to Jana Komišová from the city’s marketing, the mass for veterans and victims of wars has been a regular part of the liberation celebrations for several years. The second year, veteran families joined. “It is always such a nice moment of relaxation and a large part of the veteran families traditionally go to church, they are religious, so it is welcome for them. For the last 30 years, they have always asked us and attended some masses. But now, in cooperation with Father Bishop, the last she has been preparing this mass very carefully for two years,” she said. The Chief of the General Staff is also coming because of his ties to the Pilsen bishop, who was the chief chaplain of the Army of the Czech Republic between 1998 and 2006. Today’s mass was started by Tomáš Holub in uniform and after a few minutes he changed into priestly robes.
The participants of the Mass prayed for help to the world, which is affected by violence, for peace, for the determination of all those who use their strength to fight evil and for the healing of the hearts of men and women who, blinded by hatred and selfishness, do not hesitate to use violence to achieve their goals. An excerpt from the book of Genesis was recited in English by Kristina Pieperová, the daughter of American veteran Richard Pieper, who died last March at the age of 99. For the second year in a row, none of the veterans came to Pilsen. There are about 50 of their descendants from the USA and Belgium in the city.
The Mass was opened and closed by a procession with historical flags accompanied by a Scottish bagpiper.
The bishop, the governor and the chief of the army then ran onto the course of the Run for the Memory of the Nation, which started next to the cathedral.
“Today’s festivities will mainly include a rich cultural program on all three stages in the city center. Kateřina Marie Tichá will perform in the square in the afternoon, O5 band and Radeček in the evening. The stage in Kopecky sady will also be great, where Povodí Ohře will perform, for example,” added Komišová . She also recalled the folk and country scene at Pekla.
During the Friday evening program, the central square in Pilsen was full.
CR church army history AUDIO Pilsen 1945
Tags: Mass veterans victims wars began today day Freedom Celebration Pilsen
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