(ZENIT News / Rome, 10.24.2024).- Sister Rebecca Nazzaro, a seasoned advocate for art and faith as tools for evangelization, has been named the director of the Pilgrimage Pastoral Office at the Vicariate of Rome’s Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi (ORP). This new role places her at the helm of Rome’s pilgrimage initiatives as the city prepares for the upcoming Holy Year. Her appointment follows Monsignor Remo Chiavarini’s leadership, marking a new era of enhanced engagement with Rome’s historical and spiritual heritage.
From Opera Singer to Religious Guide
Sister Rebecca, born Antonia Romana Nazzaro, grew up in Rome and initially pursued a career in the arts, studying at the prestigious Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia and performing as a soprano in Italy’s state television choir. However, her life took a transformative turn when she decided to join the Missionaries of Divine Revelation in 2001. Since then, she has pioneered «Catechesis with Art,» a project that merges the beauty of Christian art with the teachings of the Gospel in Roman churches. For over two decades, Sister Rebecca has inspired Romans and visitors alike to see the city as a living testament of faith and history.
Holy Year Pilgrimages and Innovative Routes
Under her leadership, the ORP has introduced several key pilgrimage routes in anticipation of the Holy Year, including new journeys to Medjugorje and the reintroduction of trips to Poland. Sister Rebecca also confirmed that pilgrimages to the Holy Land are ready to resume once conditions allow, highlighting ORP’s commitment to fostering faith experiences amidst global tourism challenges. Unlike typical travel experiences, these pilgrimages are designed to emphasize welcome, connection, and the celebration of Jubilee rather than mere service provision.
The Holy Year will feature various walking routes that trace the steps of Saints Peter and Paul, as well as panoramic bus tours of Rome’s symbolic Jubilee locations. Pilgrims will benefit from practical additions like the Omnia Card and City Pass, allowing them to explore the city and its treasures with ease. Silvia Gentilini from Roma Cristiana introduced a new “Underground Rome” pass, enabling visitors to explore the lesser-seen, subterranean layers of the city. Sister Rebecca’s itinerary also includes extended pilgrimage options to destinations like Siena, Lecce, Viterbo, Ravenna, Narni, and Orvieto.
2025 and Beyond: Pilgrimages with Historic and Global Reach
The upcoming anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in 2025 has placed Turkey in the spotlight as a major pilgrimage destination, with ORP organizing routes celebrating early Church history. In addition to Nicaea, ORP’s itinerary includes Malta and Sicily, retracing the last journey of St. Paul. Pilgrims will also have the chance to visit locations that honor the heritage of Saint Augustine in Egypt, Algeria, and Georgia. For those drawn to more distant traditions, Sister Rebecca’s team has organized trips to Ethiopia, where the Ark of the Covenant is believed to reside, as well as to historically rich sites across Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and North Africa.
Meanwhile, the ORP is broadening its reach by offering trips to more unexpected pilgrimage locations. These include culturally rich destinations such as Vietnam, Japan, India, Canada, and Guatemala, as well as journeys across Europe from the English and Scottish landscapes to Norway’s fjords and the unique sites in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. Each pilgrimage, whether it journeys through medieval Italy or modern-day Asia, emphasizes Sister Rebecca’s vision of integrating faith and cultural heritage, offering an experience that combines spiritual enrichment with discovery.
Enriching Pilgrimage Through Beauty, Hospitality, and Faith
Sister Rebecca’s unique background in the arts is evident in her approach to pilgrimage: emphasizing not only religious devotion but the appreciation of beauty and historical context. Her goal is to create experiences that resonate spiritually and culturally, embodying the spirit of welcome that the Holy Year seeks to promote. With an eye to the future, Sister Rebecca and her team are leading Rome’s pilgrimages toward deeper engagement, blending art, faith, and hospitality in ways that seek to make the Jubilee not just a celebration of tradition, but a modern testament to unity and grace.
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