Ragusa, first days of the parish popular mission at the church of Maria Ss. Nunziata

The parish of Maria Ss. Nunziata in Ragusa experienced from March 13 to 16 the first days of the parish popular mission in preparation for the solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord: a time of grace that is involving the entire neighborhood with celebrations, meetings, community moments, and visits to families, in an atmosphere of renewed fraternity and wide participation.

The launch of the initiative, last Friday, was marked by the Mass presided over by the general vicar of the diocese of Ragusa, Don Roberto Asta, during which the mandate was given to the missionaries and the lamps were presented to the sixteen families hosting the Groups for listening to the Gospel.

On Saturday, the day was marked by the prayer of the Lauds, the very well-attended March of Hope animated by the catechism kids and scouts, the celebration with families, and an evangelization evening aimed at young people in the church of San Tommaso, in Ragusa Ibla: an event that highlighted the vitality of the neighborhood and the willingness of the new generations to get involved.

On Sunday, the community gathered for the Masses at 9 and 11, while at 10 there was a meeting dedicated to young people. The celebration at 7 PM, animated by the parish youth center, was offered in memory of the deceased of the community, in a moment of intense participation and shared remembrance.

Today, Monday, March 16, the program opens with Lauds and concludes with the 7 PM Mass, followed by Vespers. At 9 PM, the first Groups for Listening to the Gospel will begin in the families of the areas Casa Futura, via Golgi, via Nunziata Nuova, via Sortino, via Beccaria, and via Monte Racelli, marking the concrete start of the missionary journey in the homes of the neighborhood.

The parish priest, don Filippo Bella, expresses deep gratitude for what has been experienced in these first days: «The popular Mission is a gift for our entire community. We have seen doors open, hearts welcome, families make themselves available. I thank the missionaries, the host families, the teams that have been working for months on the preparation, the choirs, the scouts, the altar servers, and all those who are contributing to the successful outcome of the Mission. It is a joy to see a community that walks together.»

The Mission will continue with a packed schedule: visits to families, daily Eucharistic adoration in the chapel of San Luigi, celebrations, meetings with young people, families, and the elderly, Stations of the Cross through the streets of the neighborhood, times for confessions, and initiatives designed for children and teenagers.

The journey will culminate on Wednesday, March 25, the solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, with the Mass presided over by the Bishop of Ragusa, Mons. Giuseppe La Placa, during which the mandate will be conferred to the teams that prepared the Mission, followed by a community evening with a shared dinner.