Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – The Diocese of Rome’s pilgrimage to the tomb of the Apostle Paul, at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 26. There will be a Mass presided by Vicar Cardinal Agostino Vallini at 5pm. In the letter sent out to the entire diocese, Cardinal Vallini highlighted that “the Church in Rome, in particular, has had the privilege of being home to Saint Paul’s preaching, the testimony of his intrepid faith, his confirmed martyrdom on Via Ostiense, and burial. Visiting the sites of Saint Paul’s human and spiritual journey from Damascus to Rome offers all of us the possibility of drawing near this amazing model of Christian life and responding to Jesus’ invitation asking us to be disciples in our time, following the example of faith, courage, and apostolic zeal of this great apostle.”
Inviting all to participate in this pilgrimage, so as to entrust Saint Paul this pastoral year that has just begun and the Church in Rome, the letter continues: “We will be humble and trusting pilgrims in a place that is of highest importance in the faith, bringing our hopes and anxieties, and in the celebration of the Eucharist, in our encounter with the Risen Lord, we will pray for ourselves and our Church, that we may receive the gift of a joyful and courageous faith, so as to produce hope and dialogue with those who will ask us about the meaning of life. We owe it to Rome, to offer this city a renewed proclamation of the Gospel, capable of transforming the daily lives of families, youth, the sick, and the poor.”
In closing, Cardinal Vallini offered a pastoral initiative for all parishes to insert into their ordinary activity schedule during the Year of Saint Paul, as they see fitting: a “lectio paulina”, or reading of the writings of Saint Paul. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 26/9/2008)
