Testimony of Fra Elia
My heart was beating fast, like a groom waiting for his bride at the altar. Seconds and minutes felt endless while I welcomed the brothers and sisters coming from every place. I was wondering if they had accepted the invitation, despite all our struggles, with all our burdens to give to St. Peter. I was so emotional — I laughed to hide it, tears came down my face and I blamed the wind. The wind really did touch me, but I was happy, because next to my heart were all my brothers and sisters. That day we were all filled with beauty for one another — bright eyes, smiling faces, our cloaks moving in the air, and I could see the joy shining inside everyone. We laughed for nothing, I touched them, hugged them, greeted them, gently and also with a bit of sadness. Then, in a moment, we walked together praying the Holy Rosary, until we reached the Holy Door. We too went through it, a bit afraid, trying not to make noise, in silence.We found our place, and right away the Holy Mass began. The Lord welcomed me and all of us, like His children. No one was left outside, no one was forgotten — that was real happiness.
A deep silence. A greeting, a hug, and a “see you soon.
Thank you, Lord, for your love, for your true friendship that you give us every day, and for showing us how great you are. Thank you — to you, and to all my brothers and sisters.
Participant testimonials
Fra Elia looked into our eyes and asked us what had been the greatest emotion we felt… It wasn’t just emotion! Aldina and I were next to him, and she was the first to speak from her heart: “For me, the greatest emotion was feeling the hearts of all the Brothers and Sisters, and not only them, full of love and brotherhood — and the joy of being guided by you.”
CRISTINA, Bergamo – My greatest emotion can’t really be described. It was a series of amazing moments, one after another — from the procession to the final Mass, when the friars gave out the Eucharist in St. Peter’s Basilica.
DARIO, Bergamo – Am I wrong, or was Fra Elia welcomed back into the Church? Don Marco told us that the Bishop of Terni asked him if he wanted to go on alone or stay in the Church, and he said he wanted to stay. If I understood well, my heart jumped with joy — and then everything that followed touched me even more.
LAURA, Morbegno – An unforgettable day. Thank you from the heart, Fra Elia, for letting us live with you the wonderful emotion of crossing the Holy Door of St. Peter’s. What joy — a feeling like no other!
DANIELE, Bologna – A special and unforgettable day. Thank you, Fra Elia, and thanks to everyone who joined.
ORIETTA, Bergamo – My greatest emotion was being inside St. Peter’s Basilica, surrounded by so much beauty and grace.
SABRINA, Switzerland – The whole day was full of emotion, especially when I heard Fra Elia speaking during Mass.
MARIA GRAZIA, San Martino (BG) – The Jubilee day in Rome was emotional from beginning to end, but the moment that touched my heart most was when Don Marco blessed the four friars, who then, each with their own emotion, gave Holy Communion to the faithful right in front of St. Peter’s relic in the Basilica.
SABRINA, Calvi dell’Umbria (TR)– I was moved when we entered St. Peter’s Basilica — one of the greatest and most beautiful in the world. So majestic, full of art and gold. Its size and beauty left me speechless… but when we reached the Bernini Altar and understood what was happening, my heart exploded with joy and hope. That was my biggest emotion.
MASSIMILIANO, Stresa – It was a unique emotion! A joy and an honor to be part of Fra Elia’s fraternity and to walk together into St. Peter’s through the Holy Door. A memory I’ll keep in my heart forever.
ROSANNA – The whole day was full of deep emotions — from Fra Elia’s warm welcome, to the procession, to the people walking beside our beautiful group of Brothers and Sisters wearing green cloaks. Many took photos and followed us… My heart burst when we entered the Basilica — so grand and beautiful — and when I saw Michelangelo’s Pietà. My heart never stopped beating fast, especially when we stood before the Chair of St. Peter, where Brother Elia spoke during Mass and shared the Eucharist with his brothers.
