This is the testimony of Genny Francescone who, from the parish of Vittoria in Sicily entrusted to the Doctrinaries, participated in the Jubilee of Catechists.
From September 26 to 28, a group of families and doctrinaries catechists from the parishes of Madonna Assunta and Madonna delle Lacrime in Vittoria (RG), led by Father Giuseppe Giunta and Father Prosper Ntabangana, lived an engaging experience of profound faith by participating in the Jubilee of Catechists in Rome.
On Friday the 26th, the pilgrims arrived in the capital, some by bus, others by plane. The first meeting was in the church of Santa Maria in Monticelli, the Generalate of the Doctrinaries, where the relics of their founder, Saint Cesare De Bus, are kept. It was a deeply moving moment, marking the beginning of this spiritual journey. Among the first great emotions was passing through the Holy Door of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a powerful gesture of faith and hope. Immediately afterward, the visit to the tomb of Pope Francis—simple, humble, sober, and discreet, just like him—left a profound sense of peace and gratitude in everyone’s hearts.
On Saturday, September 27, the day began with the celebration of the priestly and diaconal ordinations of the Doctrinaries in the Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle, presided over by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime. This experience was an intense moment of prayer and communion, shared with the entire doctrinaries family. In the afternoon, the group headed to Castel Sant’Angelo to begin their pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Basilica. During the walk along Via della Conciliazione, Psalm 122, one of the Ascension Psalms, was proclaimed, just as the pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem did. The procession was accompanied by prayer and deep emotion: each participant took turns carrying the cross, a sign of a profound union in faith, like one great family called to be angels of light in the world.
The most anticipated moment came with the Mass in St. Peter’s Square, presided over by Pope Leo XIV. His words in his homily deeply touched all present. He reminded everyone that a catechist is a person of his word, not just the word spoken, but a word lived with his life. He emphasized that the first catechists are parents, because the proclamation of faith begins precisely in the family, around the table, in the small daily gestures that speak of Christ. Pope Leo XIV reminded everyone of the importance of witness: it is not just about teaching, but about being light, instruments in the hands of the Holy Spirit. Returning home, each person took with them gratitude for this experience of personal, family, and community growth. A journey that strengthened faith, the bond between participants, and the desire to continue serving the parish with love and joy. These words still resonate in the hearts of Vittoria’s pilgrims, reminding them that they are part of a human family made of fragility and faith, called each day to walk in the light of the Gospel. With this awareness, we entrust our parish service to the Holy Spirit, asking to be instruments of His love and bearers of light in our small world. I conclude this pilgrimage by thanking the Lord who has brought us even closer as a doctrinal group, and more aware of the beauty of being catechists and witnesses of the Gospel today.