PRESS RELEASE – Three Days with Mary: in October in Italy the national pilgrimage of the image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal will begin anew.
The national pilgrimage of the statue of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal that began on November 11, 2020 (Vatican City) with the blessing of Pope Francis will begin anew. This initiative began as a manner to commemorate the 190thanniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Mother to Saint Catherine Laboure and is sponsored by the Missionaries of the Congregation of the Mission in Italy with the collaboration of the wider Vincentian Family.
In each center that is visited, there will be “three days with Mary” because, as Father Vaslerio Di Trapani, superior of the provincial house of the Congregation of the Mission and of the Leonine College in Rome, stated: during this pastoral year the Lord has made us see the ever more-urgent need to reach out to others, to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God so that people might discover Mary as a woman who lived her life with integrity, as a woman who was happy and fully realized as a human person. Therefore, we are attempting to reach out to the ecclesial communities that desire to embrace the proposal of the Vincentian Missionaries in order to encourage and animate the parish community providing them with catechetical instruction, prayer, the sacrament of Reconciliation, visits to vulnerable and infirm individuals, meetings with children and adolescents.
Despite the many difficulties (including logistical problems that resulted from COVID-19), more than 200 parishes have already been visited and received the image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. People have given witness to the fact that this pilgrimage has been a time of spiritual grace and growth.
The pilgrimage will resume but take on a broader perspective: looking toward November 27, 2030 when we will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the encounter between the Blessed Mother and Saint Catherine Laboure. Catherine was a young Daughter of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul to whom the Blessed Mother appeared. Mary spoke to Catherine during a lengthy encounter and stated: These are very sad times. Misfortunes afflict France. The entire world will be engulfed in sadness. But if people come to the foot of this altar, there graces will be spread over all those who ask for them with confidence and fervor … I have always been watchful over you. Again, on November 27, 1839, Catherine saw the Blessed Mother. This time the Virgin held in her hand a globe (representing all of humankind). Catherine was awed by the Virgin’s beauty and was entrusted with a mission to have a medal made and was promised: everyone who wears it around their neck will receive great graces.
Father Valerio explains: During this time of pilgrimage moving toward 2030, each year we will focus on a theme that will be developed during the three days. This year, remembering the “Light” of Saint Louise de Marillac, we want to highlight to protagonism of the Holy Spirit. Four hundred years ago, on June 4, 1623, Saint Louise was enlightened by the Holy Spirit who helped her dispel all her doubts. At that time, Louise came to the understanding that she would pronounce vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in a small community dedicated to the service of the poor and would be involved in a continual movement of coming and going. The Holy Spirit was a protagonist in the vocational choice of Louise de Marillac just as he was a protagonist in the vocational choice of the Blessed Mother.
Father Valerio continued: At the conclusion of each stop on the pilgrimage, we will provide the parishioners with some reflection pamphlets on the theme of the year. Thus, the acceptance of the image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal will not be an isolated event, but rather an event that will continue to draw the community together to pray, reflect and share their thoughts on the proposed themes.
Those interested in promoting this time brief time of pastoral animation with two Vincentian Missionaries and the image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal should contact Father Valerio Di Trapani at padrevaleriocm@gmail.com so that this experience of pastoral animation can be organized.
October 2022
- Sunday, October 2 – Wednesday, October 5 (afternoon): Ischia, Buon Pastore.
- Wednesday, October 5 (afternoon) – Saturday, October 8 (evening): Ischia, Campagnano.
- Sunday, October 9 (morning) – Wednesday, October 12 (afternoon): Ischia, Casamicciola.
- Thursday, October 13 – Sunday, October 16: Vinci (Florence), Apparita – Parish of Saint Pantaleone and Our Lady of Fatima.
- Monday, October 24 – Thursday October 27: Meta di Civitella Roveto (L’Aquilla) -Parish of the Blessed Trinity.
- Thursday, October 27 – Sunday, October 30: Civitela Roverto (L’Aquilla) – Parish of Saint John the Baptist.
November – December 2022
- Wednesday, November 30 – Saturday, December 3: Casagiove (Caserta) – St. Michael’s Church.
- Monday, December 5 – Thursday, December 8: Como – Chiesa del Gesú.
May 2023
- Wednesday, May 3 – Saturday, May 6: Lauria (Potenza) – Parish of Saint James, Apostle.
- Wednesday, May 17 – Saturday, May 20: Fondi (Latina) – Cathedral of Saint Peter.
For information and updates
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Press Office
Elena Grazini
Vincentian Family
+39 338 190 24 36
elena@elenagrazini.it
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