9 / 15
T R U E L I F E I N G O D
12
of Christ and Mary. In 1210, he founded the famous order
of mendicant friars called the Franciscans. St. Francis was
also the first known Christian to receive the stigmata.
After spending some time in silent prayer, we went over to
Santa Maria degli Angeli
where we would have Mass. His
Grace Archbishop Vincent Concessao was the celebrant.
Within the walls of this glorious Church, in its centre, one
finds the small Church called
Porziuncola Chapel
that
was restored by Saint Francis after being abandoned for a
long time. When Jesus asked him to restore and build His
Church that is in ruin, Saint Francis understood that Christ
was referring to this little Church that was in ruins. Finally,
it was at that spot, at that little church, where Saint Francis
finally understood his vocation clearly. He then established
the
Order of the Friars Minor
(1209). On 28th March
1211, Claire, daughter of Favarone di Offreduccio, received
her religious habit at that same place from the hands of Saint
Francis and so she initiated the
Order of the Poor Claires.
Leaving behind us this lovely experience from the
City of
Peace,
we headed back to Rome. To everyone’s surprise,
Vassula had a surprise visit from Cardinal Basilios Cleemis
who was in Rome at the same time, attending the Synod of
the Family in Rome, and staying at Santa Martha’s residence
where Pope Francis resides. He came to meet Vassula and
dine with her to discuss plans for a future Symposium/
Pilgrimage with all the Churches of India. His Eminence
comes from the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. He knew
Vassula, as she hadmet himduring her former visits in India;
he had heard a lot about her and her mystical experiences
with our Lord Jesus Christ. The evening finished with Holy
Adoration, led by Fr. Stephen Rafael.
14th October - Wednesday
Wednesday was a very important day for all the pilgrims.
We got up quite early; so as to leave early enough to go to St.
Peter’s square and be a part of the general Papal Audience. At
this point, it is good to re-state that the pilgrimage coincided
with the Synod of the Family. Everybody was looking forward
to this event. Many groups from all around the globe were
gathered here to see and listen to Pope Francis. This was the
second time that our TLIG group was not announced while
in attendance for the Papal audience, although we were over
700 pilgrims; smaller groups of eight or ten people were
announced. God knows who blocked out our name… but we
continue to pray that our Lord opens the eyes of those who
refuse to see. We had not lost courage; instead while there, we
started singing
Doxa, Doxa,
holding our banner high. On
our banner was written that the dates of Easter should be one.
Finally, to our surprise, something else, quite wonderful
happened. All of our clergy who were Archbishops and
Bishops from the 15 Church denominations were allowed
Rome Pilgrimage 2015
(continued)
T R U E L I F E I N G O D
12
Pope Francis tenderly holds in his hands little Anja and
Anja with her father Samuel Khachigian,
and mother at the Papal Audience