Numerous communities, schools, parishes, reception centres… where the Sisters of Charity live and work have already celebrated the Jubilee in Saint Peter’s, in other Roman basilicas or in the cathedrals of their dioceses.
They made their pilgrimage starting from the new Piazza Pia, with the Jubilee cross at the front, and moving in prayer along Via della Conciliazione until they reached the Basilica.
‘The anticipation already created a Jubilee atmosphere. And then our parish had prepared with an intense penitential celebration the night before. As soon as we arrived in Rome, the parish priest involved us with a profound catechesis and then we set off on our pilgrimage together with many other pilgrims. It was a very moving experience for all of us’.
“The Jubilee involved our school in all its components: students, parents, teachers, school staff in all its forms… For Pope Francis, ’hope is the engine that sustains the educator in his daily commitment, even in difficulties and failures. But how can we avoid losing hope and keep feeding it every day? By keeping our gaze fixed on Jesus, teacher and travelling companion: this allows us to be true pilgrims of hope’.
‘We Sisters of Charity involved in youth ministry were in St Peter’s Square to pray for the Holy Father on these evenings, while we were in Rome for a congregation meeting. We prayed together with many pilgrims from all over the world and people from Rome in front of the Madonna della Colonna, a very ancient fresco that symbolises the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary over the Pope and the Church. Prayer is communion with God, with our brothers and sisters, with humanity, with Creation, in this very difficult moment for the Holy Father, we are here to pray for him and with him’.
