Conclusion of the Pilgrimage in Padua
Location: Padua, Italy
The day began with morning prayer, after which we set out for Padua, a city rich in history, culture, and spiritual heritage. Padua is one of the oldest university centers in Europe and an important pilgrimage destination, renowned for its sanctuaries and the saints who have shaped Christian history.
Our first visit was to the Papal Basilica of Saint Justina. That is one of the largest churches in Padua, where, according to tradition, the relics of Saint Luke the Evangelist, the author of the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles and the patron saint of physicians, painters, and writers, are preserved. At this sacred place, we celebrated Holy Mass, followed by a tour of the church and a time of personal prayer.
We then proceeded to the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, one of the most venerated saints of the Catholic Church. The basilica houses his tomb as well as the Chapel of Relics, among which the relic of his tongue stands out as a symbol of the power of his preaching and faithful proclamation of the Word of God. Time spent in the basilica was dedicated to personal prayer and quiet reflection.
After a shared lunch, the remainder of the day was devoted to further exploration of Padua and to prayers of thanksgiving for all that we had experienced and the graces received. With this day, we brought our pilgrimage to a close, filled with deep gratitude for everything we encountered and for all the sacred places we were able to visit. We give thanks to God for all the gifts received, as well as to all those who made this pilgrimage possible. Through their dedication, guidance, and the shared experience of this pilgrimage, we are encouraged to return to our daily responsibilities enriched by new insights and inspired to become better people, more open to faith, service, and responsibility toward others. Praise God!
Pax et bonum,
Br. Marko Vukadin, Croatian Franciscan
