Thirty-one years ago, on 8 May 1993, Pope John Paul II visited Mazara del Vallo. Presenting himself to everyone as a “pilgrim of peace and missionary of the Gospel”, the Pontiff came to conclude the celebrations of the ninth centenary of the constitution of the Church in Mazara del Vallo. The visit of the Holy Pope John Paul II left its mark on the diocesan community and many, even today, remember those moments experienced on the Mazzini seafront (the Pope arrived by helicopter in Piazzale GB Quinci) and in Piazza della Repubblica. Tonight at 6.30 pm, in the San Vito Sanctuary on the seashore the Eucharist will be celebrated to commemorate the 31st anniversary of that visit. Precisely in that little church (from 19 April 2022, Sanctuary) the Holy Pope wore the liturgical vestments and then celebrated the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration in the square in front. During the Eucharistic Celebration this evening the 2nd day of the novena will be celebrated in honor of Santa Gemma, given that the celebrations began yesterday and the bishop emeritus Emanuele Catarinicchia, who died last January 26th, will also be remembered. It was he who made the Holy Father come to Mazara del Vallo 31 years ago.
