Historic Italian ship designated a 2025 "Jubilee church"

Historic Italian ship designated a 2025 “Jubilee church”

Vatican news

The Archbishop of the Italian Forces designates the historic flagship of the Italian Navy “Amerigo Vespucci” as one of the Jubilee Places of the Military Ordinariate where pilgrims can obtain plenary indulgence during the Holy Year.

By Lisa Zengarini

The Italian Navy flagship “Amerigo Vespucci” has been designated a “Jubilee Church” for 2025 where pilgrims can obtain plenary indulgence during the Holy Year.

Archbishop of the Italian Forces Santo Marcianò officially named the historic ship after the 15th-century Italian explorer who gave the name to “America”, during the recent inauguration of the jubilee year within the Italian Military Ordinariate, the diocese responsible for military chaplains. and spiritual assistance to members of the armed forces.

Amerigo Vespucci’s world tour

Since July 2023, the “Amerigo Vespucci”, a three-masted sailing ship dating from 1931 and currently used as a training ship for the Italian armed forces, has been traveling the world as Italy’s cultural ambassador, stopping in several cities . on five continents.

According to a statement from the ship’s press office, it will continue this tour until December 28, as a jubilee site “of sacred pilgrimages and pious visits among its missions at sea.”

A pilgrimage to a church or shrine chosen by the local bishop is one of the conditions for the faithful to obtain a plenary indulgence during the Jubilee year. Other ways include making a pilgrimage to Rome, praying in some churches in Rome, performing works of mercy, fasting on social media, and volunteering.

Archbishop Marcianò explained that during the Holy Year “the Church that lives among the military also wants to establish signs that express the hope that the Church and the world expect from God and that God entrusts to the military world” .

“They certainly include the sacred Jubilee sites, through which our military can enjoy the spiritual benefits arising from the Jubilee Indulgence,” he said.

THE "Amerigo Vespucci" at sea

The “Amerigo Vespucci” at sea

Supporting the spiritual life of soldiers at sea

The Archbishop recalled how several Catholic chaplains have always served aboard the Amerigo Vescpucci, “silently but very effectively accompanying the spiritual life of the crew, and they will do so in a special way in this year of the Jubilee of Hope “.

Bishop Marcianò officially inaugurated the Jubilee in his diocese with a mass celebrated at the church of the Military Penitentiary Organization of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, in the province of Caserta, near Naples. During his homily, after explaining the meaning of the jubilee indulgence, Mgr. Marcianò emphasized that “forgiveness is a concrete and fundamental step for those, like us, called to build a culture of peace. Often, to forgive others, you must first forgive yourself.” He also reflected on the dimension of pilgrimage, which “characterizes in many respects the life and mission of the men and women of the armed forces and the police, marking each person’s journey of faith.”

Growing in communion with God and in fraternity

“In its trials and its joys, may the Jubilee be a privileged time to grow in communion with God and in fraternity, in the shared service of the defense of human life, justice and peace,” he said. he declared.

Other Jubilee locations designated for the Italian Military Ordinariate include the Church of Santa Caterina da Siena (its main church), the Church of the Celio Military Hospital in Rome and the Penitentiary Chapel of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, as well as other places. in international peacekeeping and naval missions.

Preparing for the Army and Police Jubilee in February

Meanwhile, the Ordinariate is preparing the Jubilee of the Army and Police, which will take place on February 8 and 9. will bring together military personnel from all over the world in Rome. The first day will be marked by a welcome event in one of Rome’s central squares, including a concert by inter-force orchestras. The groups will then undertake a pilgrimage to the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, before attending Sunday Mass presided over by Pope Francis. The event will be preceded on February 6 and 7 by a meeting of European Military Ordinaries at the headquarters of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences in Rome.

Vatican news

sc

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *