On the morning of 5th April, the St. Alphonsus community in Rome experienced a deeply spiritual moment as they made a pilgrimage to the Basilica of St. John Lateran — the first among the four major Basilicas.
The community gathered near the Basilica at 8:45 AM, marking the beginning of their Community Day of Prayer and Reflection. The occasion was deeply enriched by the context of the Jubilee Year 2025, a year that invites all faithful to renew their hope and journey more closely with Christ.
To set the tone for the day, Fr. Giovanni Congiu, CSsR, the Rector, led the community in a brief introduction on the meaning of the Jubilee Year and a prayer of preparation, calling for openness of heart and spirit.
With reverence and joy, the confreres then entered into a solemn procession through the Holy Doors of the Basilica — a symbolic gesture of spiritual renewal, reconciliation, and openness to God’s abundant mercy. After entering, the community spent time in prayer and meditation, allowing the sacred atmosphere of the ancient basilica to deepen their reflection and sense of communion.
Following this prayerful pilgrimage, the confreres returned back to the community for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 12:00 noon in the chapel. The Mass, rich with thanksgiving and grace, brought together the graces of the pilgrimage and offered them to the Lord in unity.
The day served not only as a spiritual journey through one of the Church’s most historic sites but also as a renewed commitment to the community’s life of prayer, service, and fraternity. In the spirit of the Jubilee, the St. Alphonsus community was reminded once again of their call to be missionaries of hope and witnesses to God’s mercy in the heart of the Church and the world.
Scala News
