A young adult pilgrimage group from Saskatoon has travelled to Italy on a Jubilee Year pilgrimage, led by Sr. Marta Piano of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity and Evangelization and Mission Leader John Hickey — who co-cordinate young adult ministry in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon — accompanied by Fr. Bassim Shoni, pastor of Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church in Saskatoon. The pilgrimage from May 19-29 includes visiting sacred sites and holy doors in Vatican City, touring Rome, and also time in Cascia, Assisi, Florence, and Venice.

By Sr. Marta Piano, Pilgrimage Leader

[Sunday, May 25, 2025] – Today the Jubilee pilgrims from Saskatoon had the blessing of visiting Cascia, Umbria, in central Italy, including the Roccaporena (community) were St. Rita of Cascia was born in the 14th century, and where her incorrupt body is still venerated today.

We were blessed to visit the places where she used to pray, and her nuptial house – the convent of Augustinian sisters where St. Rita lived for 40 years, and where she died. Pope Leo XIII canonized St. Rita of Cascia on May 24, 1900, and her Feast Day is celebrated on May 22.

Fr. Bassim Shoni celebrated Mass for the pilgrims at the Inferior Basilica of Saint Rita of Cascia,

Her life is a sign of hope for all of us!

Related:

• Update from the pilgrims for May 21 – LINK
• Update May 22 – LINK
• Update May 24 – LINK

 

 

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