Parish of Castel Gandolfo joyful ahead of 杏MAP导航 Leo鈥檚 Mass
By Sebastián Sansón Ferrari 鈥� Castel Gandolfo
In the heart of Castel Gandolfo, the papal parish of St. Thomas of Villanova has in recent days become a center of gathering, faith, and service.
The community is eagerly preparing to welcome 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV, who will preside over Mass on Sunday, July 13.
Speaking to Vatican News, Fr. Tadeusz Rozmus, the Salesian parish priest, said the faithful, religious communities, and volunteers of Castel Gandolfo have redoubled their efforts in both logistical and spiritual preparations.
鈥淓very time the 杏MAP导航 comes, the town changes its face: it turns into a celebration,鈥� he said with a smile.
St. Thomas of Villanova parish church is an architectural gem designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, commissioned by 杏MAP导航 Alexander VII.
The building, which passed from the Augustinian Fathers to the Salesians on August 7, 1926, remains, as the priest noted, a 鈥渂eautiful shared inheritance.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 just like when you prepare to receive a guest at home,鈥� said the Polish-born priest. 鈥淵ou clean, you organize, you attend to every detail.鈥�
The physical improvements to the church include the restoration of the papal coat of arms, technical adjustments to the church鈥檚 structure, and new lighting.
Measures have also been taken to keep the surroundings clean and to deter birds, with the support of Vatican offices.
Beyond the renovations, the driving force behind these preparations has been the community itself.
鈥淚 was pleasantly surprised by how willing so many were to help,鈥� said Fr. Rozmus. 鈥淔or example, a group of Opus Dei women came from different places just to lend a hand. These are gestures that build up.鈥�
Young people have also played an essential role, he added. 鈥淲e finished the summer oratory last week and they immediately offered to help with liturgical services and crowd control. It鈥檚 wonderful to see them so involved.鈥�
For the community, the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 arrival is not merely an event but a sign of unity as the Church seeks to implement the Synod on Synodality.
鈥淲e are experiencing an enormous gift,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he synodal journey reminds us that we are a Church on the way, united despite a world so divided.鈥�
Recently, 杏MAP导航 Leo made an unexpected visit. 鈥淗e stopped the car and got out to greet people. It was a spontaneous gesture, full of tenderness. His smile, his closeness鈥� that gives hope,鈥� said Fr. Rozmus.
In Castel Gandolfo, where faith and nature are closely joined, the parish of St. Thomas prepares to welcome the Successor of Peter with a spirit of family, hospitality, and gratitude.
鈥淲e want every detail to be an expression of our faith and our love for the 杏MAP导航 and the Church,鈥� concluded Fr. Rozmus.
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