PILGRIMS BEGIN TO ARRIVE AT MARIJA BISTRICA

( Editorial: --> 5163 ) MARIJA BISTRICA, Oct 2 (Hina) - The gates to the "Church in the Open" at Marija Bistrica (near Zagreb), where Pope John Paul II will on Saturday lead the Eucharistic celebration and proclaim Zagreb Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac blessed, were open at 7 pm Friday. Fourteen entries have been ensured for pilgrims and for now there is no rush. At 9 pm Holy Mass will and a vigil will be celebrated for pilgrims. It is expected that larger numbers of pilgrims will begin to arrive after midnight when the statue of "Our Lady of Marija Bistrica" will be transferred from the church to the altar of the "Open Church". Nevertheless pilgrims have already begun to arrive and following security checks have been taking up their places assigned for tomorrow's celebrations. The largest number of pilgrims is expected however, at dawn on Saturday. (Hina) sp 022003 MET oct 98