"There is No Greater Love. Family: Vocation, Communion and Mission" is the theme of the VIII National Pilgrimage of Families for the Family from Scafati-Pompei organized by Renewal in the Holy Spirit for Saturday, September 12th.
The encounter with the pilgrimage, organized in collaboration with the Pontifical Prelature of Pompeii, the Pontifical Council for the Family, the National Office for the Pastoral Care of the Family of the Italian Bishops' Conference and the Forum of Family Associations, is scheduled for the 14th, in the market area of Scafati. After a moment of animation, prayer and singing, there will be interventions by Msgr. Beniamino Depalma, Bishop of Nola; Francesco Belletti, President of the Forum of Family Associations; and Fr. Paolo Gentili, director of the National Office for the Pastoral Care of the Family of the Italian Bishops' Conference, as well as testimonies about family life.
"We are transmitting to our children a society without a memory and without dreams—says Salvatore Martinez, President of the RNS—What we are asked to do for the future of the family? The real solution remains a humble and convinced conversion of hearts, minds and wills to our Lord Jesus. This is why, we are returning once again to Pompeii to walk as pilgrims on the path of our faith. The pilgrimage will be a time of intercession for the celebration of the next Ordinary Synod dedicated to the family and of preparation for the prayer vigil organized by the Italian Bishops' Conference in St. Peter's Square. We want to joyfully show first to God, and secondly to people, the face of our families, their dignity, starting with those who are going through the greatest trials, in order to receive from heaven the miracle of a new love, a renewed Christian identity, a new loyalty, and renewed courage for witnessing to the Gospel of the family."
During the walk, which will start at 4:00 pm, "The Rosary of the Family" will be recited, with animation and meditation on seven of the 20 traditional Mysteries. The arrival in the square of the Shrine of Pompeii and the greeting by Msgr. Tommaso Caputo, Bishop Prelate of Pompeii, are scheduled for 6:00 pm. This will be followed by the act of entrustment of the families to Mary, the special blessing of the families, the adolescents and children on the eve of the new school year. The pilgrimage will conclude, around 8:30 pm, with Holy Mass presided over by Archbishop Fabio Fabene, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops.
