Reflections on the LGBT Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope

Jubilee pilgrims in St Peter's Square

The first LGBT pilgrimage during the Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope was attended by more than 1400 people from more than 24 countries. It started on Friday with a panel discussion organised by Fr James Martin's organisation Outreach at the Jesuit General Curia. Three members of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics and a trans woman from New Jersey, USA discussed their moments of joy and hopes for the future.

The next day was the Jubilee Pilgrimage event, organised by La Tienda di Gionata, an Italian network of LGBT Catholics and allies, and a planning group, who worked closely with the Jesuits. The Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC) that I belong to proudly supported and collaborated on this unique Jubilee Pilgrimage for the LGBT community.

It was wonderful to see representation from Quest, the pastoral support group from England as well as many members from the Younger Adults Group in Westminster and many other members of GNRC from the USA, Latin America, Europe and India at the Vigil Mass at Chiesa del Gesu. This was an emotional and euphoric moment in time to hear powerful testimonies of strength, resilience and grace and the most joyous music and singing and deserved applause in a church. And, at the end we were all given seeds of hope to take away and nurture and grow them to fruition.

The next day we returned for Mass said by Bishop Francesco Savino, Vice President of Italian Bishops. This Mass, this greeting of love and hope rang out with a long and protracted round of yet more applause for the Bishop's homily.

The pilgrimage a few hours later took us through the Holy Door where there were many tears of joy, and the expunging of regrets and losses of the past. This moment was about being renewed and welcomed into our beloved Church and it was a very profound moment for most of us.

At the end of a long, hot and exhausting day GNRC welcomed over 240 pilgrims to its Pilgrims Rest social gathering at the beautiful Anglican Chiesa di San Paolo dentro le Mura church where Fr Jonathan opened his doors to us. Fr Pino Piva from the Jesuits came to greet us and to thank us for our love and commitment to our faith. We rejoice in our faith and are grateful to Innocenzo from La Tenda di Gionata, 'our man in Rome' Alessandro, the Jesuits for their love and commitment to the LGBT faithful and to all GNRC members and to Board members who gave so much time and energy for this momentous occasion.