Quest members joined over 1200 other LGBTQ Catholics, their families and friend in Rome over the 5th and 6th September for a very special pilgrimage as part of the year of Jubilee – Pilgrims of Hope. It was organised by the Italian LGBTQ Catholic group La Tenda di Gionata, in partnership with the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics and Outreach, a ministry and resource group from the US.
Pilgrims from all over the world came together for a Prayer Vigil on Friday evening at the beautiful Chiesa del Gesù in the centre of Rome, the mother church of the Jesuits in Rome, founded by St Ignatius in 1551. The evening heard testimonies, sang songs and prayed together, hearing from Sr Maria Luisa Berzosa, one of the consultors at the recent Synods at the Vatican, and Fr James Martin SJ, author and founder of Outreach.
The following morning there was a Mass in the same church led by Bishop Francesco Savino, vice president of the Catholic Bishops conference. At the front of the procession into Mass was the rainbow coloured cross that had been carried by a small group of pilgrims on their walk along the Via Francigena Sud from southern Italy. There were many moments of joy and surprise including the bishop’s embrace of Fr James Martin SJ who concelebrated, and the spontaneous applause when Bishop Savino spoke in his homily about restoring dignity to those who had been deprived of it. His message was clear: “No one should feel excluded.”
In the afternoon the rainbow cross led us from Piazza Pia, along the Via della Conciliazione, into St Peter’s Square, and, to the surprise of those carrying it who thought it might not be allowed, through the Holy Doors into the Basilica. It was a historic moment for all of us who followed them through the doors, a thousand LGBTQ Catholics and our allies entering the basilica being known for who we are.
In the evening a portion of the group of pilgrims attended a reception at the US Episcopal Church of St Paul within the Walls hosted by GNRC. It was a chance to reflect on the day, have some more time together in prayer and an opportunity for some spontaneous singing.
Top L to R: Quest pilgrims outside the Chiesa del Gesù, inside the Chiesa, the prayer vigil, Middle L to R: Saturday morning Mass at the Chiesa del Gesù, outside the church, Quest pilgrims Greg, Thomas and Chris, Bottom L to R: Quest at the start of the walk along the Via della Conciliazione, about to enter the Holy Doors, sunlight in the dome of St Peter’s.
The weekend gained media coverage from around the world and you can find more details reports and reflections below:
A reflection of the week’s events from Fr James Martin SJ here.
and Frank DeBarnardo, from New Ways Ministry here.
Coverage from the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics here:
And from Britain, an ITV News report featuring a glimpse of a Quest t-shirt here.
You must be logged in to post a comment.