GLOBAL GOENKARS SPEAK
VENICE
Going to Padua and not visiting the world-famous city of Venice could be a ‘mortal sin’. So we spent a couple of hours in Venice taking in the beauty and vibrancy of the place. Some got a chance to pray at the tomb of St Mark in St Mark’s Basilica, while others got a chance to climb the huge tower.
LORETO
The pilgrimage continued to Loreto, the Holy House of the Virgin Mary, where Mass was celebrated inside the Holy House—the three walls believed to be the home of the Virgin Mary.
Inside the Holy House is the statue of Our Lady of Loreto, a modern copy of the original destroyed in a fire in 1921. The statue, carved from Cedar of Lebanon, is a Black Madonna, a consequence of the smoke from votive candles.
Each catechist received blessed oil from the ever-burning lamp, a treasured reminder of Our Lady’s intercession. In Loreto, we were fortunate to have our own Goan Capuchin, Fr Clayton Fernandes, hailing from Santo Estevam, who guided us and explained to us the history of the place.
ASSISI
A trip to Italy would be incomplete without a visit to the two important Franciscan places: one at San Giovanni Rotondo, the shrine of Padre Pio, and the other at Assisi, the basilica of St Franics. We were blessed to get an opportunity to celebrate Mass in the old original church of Padre Pio, Our Lady of Grace. A walk-through of Padre Pio's cell and rooms and standing before the crucifix of his stigmata reminded the catechists of the depth of sacrificial love.
On the evening of October 3, we were just in time at St Mary of the Angels in Assisi to celebrate the Transitus (passing away) of St Francis. The church was crowded. There were many local spiritual and political dignitaries taking part in the procession.
Nearly 100 priests of different Franciscan branches, six bishops and a cardinal were present. On October 4, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, the town of Assisi was abuzz with festive colour and noise of the pilgrims. Thousands of pilgrims attended the feast.
We were blessed to have the Mass celebrated by the Minister General of the Capuchin order, Fr Roberto Genuin, at the Basilica of St Francis. After Mass we walked around visiting the Basilica of St Clare and the church of San Rufino.
The pilgrimage concluded with a visit to the Sanctuary of the Spogliazione, where the mortal remains of St Carlo Acutis rest. Standing before the young “saint of the internet”, the catechists were reminded of the power of holiness in everyday life. The catechists prayed at the incorrupt heart of St Carlo Acutis in a golden reliquary inside the Cathedral of San Rufino in Assisi, the same church where St Francis was baptised.
Our pilgrimage was a journey of faith and renewal; we walked with the saints, prayed at holy sites, and returned strengthened in our mission as catechists. For the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia (AVONA) catechists, the pilgrimage was not only an exploration of Italy’s sacred treasures but also a deep spiritual encounter—one that rekindled their calling to serve, teach, and witness the faith with joy. [Concluded]
[The writer is Director of Catechism and Bible Studies in AVONA.]
