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Families and individuals from around the world gathered in Rome on April 28 to celebrate the Jubilee of People with Disabilities at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Despite the joyful occasion, there was also a sense of sadness as attendees remembered the late Pope and anticipated his successor.
Among those who attended was Giusi from Sicily. She shared the emotional significance of the event, saying, “There was a lot of emotion, a lot of joy, a lot of sadness, too, because we lost our pontiff, but we have hope and faith for the new one to lead the faithful.” She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to reflect on family resilience, noting, “There are a million challenges for our family, but we find strength to come forward.”
Grace Arnold, 19, traveled from Kansas City with her mother Patricia. “I’m really excited about this pilgrimage,” Grace said. Patricia highlighted the importance of the event for her daughter’s understanding of the “global church” and conveyed that it made her realize she is not alone.
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, organizer of the Jubilee events, emphasized the importance of community and prayer. He said, “The first prayer is to ask the Lord for the courage not to remain silent, the courage to always proclaim that Christ is risen.”
Irene Verzeletti, a blind accountant from Brescia, underscored the significance of community support. “We are here to pray together, and remember that the person we have around can be a real friend,” she said.
JD Flynn, an American journalist, attended with his family. He reflected on the acceptance needed in the church for people with disabilities, stating, “Sometimes they experience the church as their home. But as often as not, they experience marginalization in the church.”
Tomasz Sitarz from Lodz, Poland, attended with his son Peter, expressing hope for better societal support for children with disabilities. Ewa Majewska volunteered at the Jubilee, noting the spiritual impact and her emotional experience.
Verzeletti and her guide dog Berto experienced the symbolic going through the Holy Door. She expressed understanding and acceptance of her blindness since birth, wishing instead "to find love, a great person to love."
The event highlighted the connections and spiritual rejuvenation sought by attendees, demonstrating the significance of inclusivity within the global church community.
