Carmelites from the National Shrine of St Jude, Faversham, took part in a gathering in Rome to celebrate the work of those involved in the pilgrimage and shrine ministry.
As part of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has invited people to come to Rome as pilgrims to reflect on some of the Church’s particular ministries of mercy.
Over the course of the Jubilee Year there will be gatherings of: people who are sick or disabled; those involved in the spirituality of Divine Mercy; priests; deacons; catechists; volunteers of mercy and others.
The Holy Father wanted the first gathering to be of those who are involved in the work of pilgrimages and shrines, since going on pilgrimage is often an experience that gives people a special encounter with the love and mercy of God.
The National Shrine of St Jude was represented by Matthew Betts, development manager.
To mark the Diamond Jubilee of the shrine, Matt took a new statue of St Jude from Faversham to present to Pope Francis, which he was able to do at the
audience.
