{"id":28723,"date":"2025-08-29T16:49:42","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T14:49:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.loppiano.it\/?p=28723"},"modified":"2025-09-02T13:14:25","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T11:14:25","slug":"from-san-romolo-to-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.loppiano.it\/en\/2025\/08\/29\/from-san-romolo-to-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"From San Romolo to Rome: two Mexican girls, one Korean girl and one Chinese girl at the Youth Jubilee"},"content":{"rendered":"

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by Tamara Pastorelli<\/h6>\n

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The story of the discoveries and adventures of Frances and Gracia from the Gen School, and Lupita and Andrea from the Youth Project, who left Loppiano to participate in the Youth Jubilee in Rome with their peers from the diocese of Fiesole.<\/h3>\n

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Their adventure began on the evening of 31 July, in the Cathedral of San Romolo<\/strong>. There, Bishop Stefano Manetti had arranged to meet the more than 100 participants in the Youth Jubilee of the diocese of Fiesole t<\/strong>o share a moment of silence, reflection and an invitation to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. In his meditation, the Gospel story of blind Bartimaeus was offered as an example of courage and hope in Jesus. Among the young pilgrims listening to him was a small delegation from the town of Loppiano: Frances from China, Gracia from South Korea, and Lupita and Andrea from Mexico.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Accompanying them was Cris Machado from the Gen School<\/strong>, who recounts: \u2018During the Vigil, the Bishop explained to us what the Jubilee really is: a time that the Church offers us to be with God, to walk with Him. So, he invited us to live the following days as a personal opportunity to draw closer to the Father. And it seemed to me that everyone took that invitation seriously, putting themselves on the line!\u2019<\/p>\n

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After the Vigil, the bishop’s seminary opened its doors for the night. A few hours of rest before leaving for Rome on two coaches early in the morning.<\/p>\n

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“It was the first time I had participated in such a large-scale event! I hadn’t set myself a goal to achieve. I simply followed my deepest feelings in my relationship with God<\/strong>. So, I experienced moments of reflection, gratitude and prayer. It was a wonderful experience!” confides Frances<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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In the Corsini Chapel, St. John Lateran (photo by Cris Machado)<\/h6>\n

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The pilgrimage included passing through the Holy Door in the Basilica of St. John Lateran<\/strong> and then celebrating Mass in the Corsini Chapel.<\/p>\n

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\u2018How wonderful to find ourselves in the midst of a living Church, with young people from various movements and groups, with different charisms. To see how much richness there is in the diocese of Fiesole, also with the internationality that Loppiano brings,\u2019 reflects Cris. Gracia adds: \u2018In the evening, we had dinner with young people who didn’t even know the word \u201cGen\u201d. So we were able to explain to them who the young people of the Focolare Movement are<\/strong>. And even though communicating in Italian wasn’t always easy, as we approached Tor Vergata, I felt a real spirit of fraternity with everyone.\u2019<\/p>\n

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On the way to Tor Vergata (photo by Cris Machado)<\/h6>\n

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Walking from the underground station to the Tor Vergata esplanade was not exactly a walk in the park, according to everyone. \u2018It was very hot, my backpack was heavy, and I almost wanted to give up,\u2019 continues Gracia. \u2018But along the way, seeing strangers, of different languages and cultures, encouraging us and applauding us,<\/strong> was very moving!\u2019<\/p>\n

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\u2018We were all very tired, but we kept holding our guitars, playing our drums and singing loudly, praising God,\u2019 observes Frances. \u2018Those moments made me feel the power of youthful faith, which is so vibrant!\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Gracia, Frances and Andrea praying during Eucharistic adoration on the Tor Vergata esplanade (photo by Cris Machado)<\/h6>\n

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Andrea<\/strong>, on the other hand, was struck by the moment of Eucharistic adoration, surrounded by a million peers: \u2018We were kneeling in front of the Blessed Sacrament, praying together in silence. It was like feeling God’s presence among us<\/strong>.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Some of the words spoken by Pope Leo during the Vigil were engraved in Lupita’s<\/strong> mind. She repeats them aloud: \u2018When a tool controls someone, that person becomes a tool: a commodity on the market and, in turn, a piece of merchandise. Only genuine relationships and stable connections can build good lives.\u2019\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

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About a million young people from 146 countries participated in their Jubilee 2025 (photo by Cris Machado)<\/h6>\n

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Andrea tries to sum up her experience in a few words: “‘Peace<\/strong>\u2018 and \u2019fraternity<\/strong>\u2019, because that is what I experienced during those days and I will carry them in my heart forever.\u2019 \u2018Also \u201cunity<\/strong>,\u201d\u2019 adds Frances, \u2018the image of so many young people from all over the world, so different from each other, but united in one heart to celebrate the Jubilee, will remain etched in my mind forever!\u2019<\/p>\n

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Gracia’s heart, on the other hand, is already in her native South Korea, where the next World Youth Day awaits her.<\/p>\n

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Evening falls on Tor Vergata, 2 August 2025 (photo by Cris Machado)<\/h6>\n

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