In a silent and almost otherworldly St. Peter’s Basilica, bathed in the light of a July morning that danced between shadows and brilliance, and enveloped in an atmosphere of deep reverence, the jubilee day of the Canossian Laypeople and Sisters began. The celebration of Holy Mass at the Altar of St. Joseph—next to the painting of St. Magdalene of Canossa—marked the first step of an intense and meaningful spiritual journey.
The Eucharist, celebrated with heartfelt participation and solemnity, was enriched by hymns inspired by Magdalene, the Liturgy of the Word, the solemn sound of the organ, and an atmosphere deeply imbued with Canossian charism. A moment of grace and emotion, uniting all in prayer and in the living memory of the Foundress, it also resonated with the spirit of cultural exchange and shared reflection created by the Congress.
Following the Mass, the group gathered at the start of Via della Conciliazione, ready to face the Roman heat on their jubilee pilgrimage toward the Holy Door. In a spirit of simplicity and contemplation, the Cross was carried in turns by Laypeople and Sisters, accompanied by songs and Scripture readings that marked every step of the journey. Upon reaching the steps of St. Peter’s, the Congress participants crossed the Holy Door in silence, walking with devotion along the nave to the papal altar, where Father Francesco Vercellone offered a special blessing.
The day continued with two parallel itineraries. One group went to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major to pay homage at the tomb of Pope Francis, pausing in personal prayer, gratitude, and emotion.
The second group followed a path through the historic center of Rome, passing over Ponte Sant’Angelo, through the old city and the Church of San Salvatore in Lauro, across Piazza Navona, and finally arriving at the Basilica of St. John Lateran—the cathedral of Rome and spiritual heart of the diocese—before concluding at the Colosseum, a powerful symbol of Christian witness and martyrdom.
The day was lived as a visible sign of communion, faith, and belonging, under the gaze of St. Magdalene, in the heart of the universal Church. A pilgrimage that wove together prayer, art, history, and spirituality—etched in the memory of all as a truly Canossian journey.
St. Peter’s Basilica, the heart of Catholic Christianity, rises over the traditional burial site of the Apostle Peter. A masterpiece of Renaissance and Baroque architecture, it was shaped by the genius of Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bernini. Inside, visitors are drawn to Michelangelo’s iconic dome, Bernini’s majestic Baldachin over Peter’s tomb, and the vast nave adorned with intricate mosaics and monumental sculptures. Every corner of the basilica speaks of faith through beauty, silence, and the solemn weight of centuries of history.
The Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome and mother of all churches in the world, is the oldest basilica in Western Christianity. Founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, it has undergone many restorations, blending paleochristian roots with the Baroque grandeur of Borromini. Inside, it captivates with majestic stuccoes, stunning apse mosaics, and a solemn nave lined with towering statues of the Apostles. As the official seat of the Bishop of Rome, it stands as the symbolic and juridical heart of the Catholic Church—guardian of apostolic memory and a beacon of universal communion.
