CARJ Traveller Support Network
Report of the Pilgrimage to Rome
28 October 2015
Gypsy, Roma, Sinti and Traveller Pilgrimage to Rome
and Special Audience with Pope Francis
The Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Sinti Pilgrimage to Rome took place 22 – 27
October 2015. Organised by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants
and Itinerant People, it included visits to holy places, Sunday Mass at the Sanctuary
of Our Lady of Divine Love, a Concert on Sunday evening and a Papal Audience on
Monday attended by some 8,000 pilgrims from all over the world.
Thousands gathered on Monday for an audience with Pope Francis. Following a
celebration of their history and culture, the Holy Father called for better treatment of
Travelling People and an acceptance of customs and lifestyles different from our
own. He said:
"I would like to see the beginning of a new history for your people. The time has
come to eradicate the deep-rooted prejudices, preconceptions and mutual distrust
that are often at the basis of discrimination, racism and xenophobia. No-one should
feel isolated, and no-one should be authorised to trample the dignity and rights of
others. ... Let us therefore allow the Gospel to awaken our consciences and to open
our hearts and hands to the neediest and most marginalised, starting from those
closest to us" . (Vatican Information Service)
Pope Francis highlighted the importance of education: ‘Your children have the right
to go to school: do not prevent them from doing so". He went on to stress the
importance of society "guaranteeing adequate education for young gypsies, also
offering families who live in the most disadvantaged conditions the opportunity to
benefit from adequate integration in schools and in work." (Vatican Information
Service)
There were a number of diocesan groups that made the pilgrimage. The Priests and
Sisters responsible for the event in their respective dioceses included a number from
the CARJ Traveller Support Network. Some of these give their impressions and
reflections below.
____
Impressions and reflections
This pilgrimage for me was blessed. I feel so so privileged to be part of it. The
highlight of it for our group was the Sunday Mass at our Lady of Divine Love. There
was no standing room in the magnificent church and the banners and the Travellers’
music was something you could not buy. Then the appetising lunch, the signed
photo of Pope Francis and the rosary were very much appreciated by everyone of
us. The Stations of the cross was very moving and prayerful but I found the rough
ground with the uneven flagstones a penance. The audience with Pope Francis was
very special. His Holiness looked tired and a wee bit weary but his gracious smile
light up the whole hall. We are so lucky to have such a good man our Pope Francis
as our leader. May God bless, protect and reward His Holiness. I wish to say a
sincere thank you to all our fellow travellers who attended from all over the world.
Language was no barrier to any of us as we all had our country on our badge. I pray
and hope that the graces of this special pilgrimage will stay with us forever. (Sr
Philomena Purcell, Brentwood Diocese)
******
On Friday we visited Saint Peters Basilica, the tombs of the Popes, the Vatican
Museum and Sistine Chapel. On Saturday morning, we visited two Basilicas Saint
Mary of the Angels and Saint Mary Major. Both were very beautiful churches. At
Saint Mary Major the group were very happy as they had the opportunity to receive
the Sacrament of Reconciliation in English, light candles, have Mass offerings said,
leave petitions and attend Mass. Celebration of the Way of the Cross was a very
reflective celebration in candlelight. The atmosphere was very joyful and people from
across the world were beginning to bond with one another.
On Sunday morning we went for Mass to the Shrine of our Lady of Divine Love
Rome. This was a lovely shrine out in the country and a miracle had taken place
there. As we entered the Bascilica it was full of colour, children, young people,
families, older people, those with disabilities and the sick who were given special
attention. One of the women from our group represented England reading the first
reading at Mass . She was very moved and honoured to be asked and to read in
front of such a large congregation. She read very clearly and with meaning.
After lunch we were entertained in a large tent to a Circus Show. That evening we
went along to the Basilica of Saint Mary in Trastevere for a Concert of Gypsy music
which again was very relaxing and joyful.
On Monday we gathered at Paul V1 Hall in Saint Peter’s Square for the Papal
Audience. The atmosphere was one of joy and celebration. When we were all in the
hall there were 7000 people. While we were waiting there was singing and music
from different cultures which set the scene.
When the Holy Father made his way up the hall there were shouts of acclamation
and joy. Different groups presented dance and song to greet the Holy Father. There
was some disappointment from the English and Irish groups when the pope spoke in
Italian and moments of fear not knowing what the message was. During his address
the pope looked very tired and seemed frail. After his address he moved among the
people to greet everyone and bless the children , the sick and those with disabilities.
All were very excited and deeply moved, moments of tears, awe and wonder. The
more the Holy Father moved among the people the more energy he seemed to get.
He seemed very relaxed and at ease. He was very compassionate , gentle and had
a lovely smile. Everyone was calling aloud ‘Papa Papa’. It was a very touching and
memorable moment meant for all - a God experience.
Later in the day at 4.00 pm lots of Travellers from England met together at Saint
Peters Square and prayed the rosary in thanksgiving for the wonderful and blessed
time they had. They attended Mass together in Saint Peter's Basilica. Later in the
evening when we returned to our hotel we sat and relaxed together for a few hours.
We looked again at the audience on You Tube and shared the message in English
with the group. We spent time discussing the whole experience. Everyone seemed
very moved by it. We ended the day by sharing some food together.
It was nice at different times meeting people from other groups in England and in the
midst of such a beautiful group seeing Sisters Petronia., Philomena, Margaret,
Bridgetta, Fr Dan, Fr Kevin and Mgr John. The organisation of the pilgrimage by the
Pontifical Council was excellent. Teams of people were at hand all the time and
ready to support very generously with any need requested. (Sr Bernadette Healy,
Nottingham Diocese)
*****
Finally, in her reflection on the Pilgrimage, Sister Petronia Williams who was
responsible for the large group from Westminster Diocese, pointed out that the lead
up to the event had highlighted the necessity of having a National Co-ordinator for
the pastoral care of Travelling Communities in England and Wales. The process of
organisation and registration for the whole country ended up falling on whoever was
available and willing. The Travellers need someone at a national level for such
events that they attend around the country, such as fairs and pilgrimages.
____________________
The Catholoic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ) is an independent charity and an
Agency of the Bishops Conference. CARJ works with people of diverse backgrounds to
create a more just, more equal, more cooperative society. CARJ, 9 Henry Rd, London N4
2LH. 020 8802 8080. info@carj.org.uk. CARJ services a Traveller Support Network,
which includes Catholics and others who work with or support Travellers across England &
Wales.