The Vatican recently published "Associations of the Faithful," a directory of the new ecclesial movements and communities that have been started since the Second vatican Council.

Additionally, next week will see the Second World Congress of ecclesial movements and new communities, in the Roman suburbs, where members of these movements will meet. Here is the homepage, which includes a schedule of events.

On Saturday night, the Vigil of Pentecost, the Congress will conclude in St. Peter's square with a program of music, prayer and testimonies leading up to the arrival of the Holy Father, who will celebrate first vespers of Pentecost with those gathered.

The Holy See has granted a plenary indulgence to those who attend the liturgy. Actaully, it is merely an extesion of an indulgence which is already available to any of the faithful who "in a church or oratory, participates devoutly in the solemn signing or praying of the hymn 'Veni, Creator' ... on the solemnity of Pentecost."

Leading up to the event, Zenit is publishing the profiles from "Associations of the Faithful" of the communitites and movements that will be participating in the Congress.

And, as a way of demonstrating that my wife and kids are in Chicago and I have nothing better to do, here are the profiles that have already been published:

• Schoenstatt Movement
  
• The Bread of Life Community
  
• Amigonian Cooperators
  
• Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities
  
• Chemin Neuf Community
  
• Catholic Integrated Community
  
• Christian Life Movement
  
• Christian Life Community
  
• Community of the Beatitudes
  
• Cooperators of Opus Dei
  
• Emmanuel Community
  
• Couples for Christ
  
• Fondacio. Christians for the World
  
• Foyers de Charité
  
• Fraternity of Charles de Foucauld
  
• Heart's Home
  
• Communion and Liberation
  
• Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Mercy Association
  
• International Alliance of Catholic Knights
  
• International Association of "Caterinati"
  
• Heralds of the Gospel
  
• Institute for World Evangelization
  
• International Association of Charities
  
• International Association of Faith and Light

A tip: don't read them all at one sitting, your eyes will start to glaze after about a dozen or so. Do try to read some of them, though, as it's inspiring to see the different authentic expressions of the one Catholic faith all over the world.

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