In this jubilee year Morocco is the unusual destination of about forty pilgrims Milazzese who from 25 April to 3 May have joined the proposal of the Sanctuary of S. Antonio di Padova di Capo Milazzo. It is the third of a “trilogy” of Antonian pilgrimages in the footsteps of the saint: after Padua in 2022 and Portugal in 2024, it is the turn of the African country that in 1221 welcomed the saint, just moved on to the order of the Franciscans and eager to preach the good story to the Muslims. Tradition tells that the mission in Morocco was not successful, because Antonio fell seriously and was forced to repatriate. However, the vessel that should have brought him back to Portugal, caught by a violent storm, was wrecked on the coast of Capo Milazzo, where the characteristic rock sanctuary dedicated to him now stands.
“Morocco’s choice has a particular meaning for us” – he underlined Don Carmelo Russo, rector of the Sanctuary of Capo Milazzo. “Meanwhile, it is the closure of a training course, where” path “is not only a metaphor, but the desire to literally travel, to get to know the roots of our Antonian devotion. In addition, Morocco represents a geographical and cultural bridge between Europe and Africa. Sant’Antonio sensed that this land could become a peaceful laboratory of dialogue between believers of different faiths and cultures. To re -entry these intuitions, we asked our Archbishop, Msgr. Giovanni Accolla, the permission of bring with us the relic of the saint kept in our sanctuary». Spiritual guide of the pilgrimage is Msgr. Domenico MogaveroEmeritus Bishop of Mazara del Vallo, an expert in Mediterranean theology and for years “on the field” to encourage collaboration and meeting between the churches of Sicily and those of North Africa. Interreligious dialogue develops above all in the daily field of interpersonal relationships, where cultural and religious differences do not prevent a relationship of profound friendship and mutual collaboration.
In addition to the classic stages (Rabat, Fès, Midelt, Merzouga, Ouarzazate, Tazert, Marrakech, Casablanca), the journey will be enhanced byMeeting with local Christian communities: «The Catholic community in Morocco does not exceed thirty thousand faithful, that is 0.08% of the Moroccan population. These are mostly people from different countries, assisted by European and African priests and priests. But the criteria that build the Gospel are certainly not arithmetic. Rather, the model that inspires the Maghrebine churches is that of Charles de Foucould ” – explained the prelate. “The Christian minority testifies to a specific prophecy, because with tenacity and creativity does not cease to live in faith, hope and love, and reminds us that it is always possible, in all places and in all times, to announce the Gospel. This contributes to making the Church a mother with a truly universal face ». In fact, the small Moroccan church performs a significant service of charity, both as assistance to personal fragility and in school and human training.
As for the trip to Portugal in 2024, also this time The pilgrims rely on the guidance of Jorge Lozano Leitão, now known as “Pellegrino Zero”, since the first walking the Antoniano journey from Capo Milazzo to Padua in 2021. Jorge, in addition to being a tourist guide and devoted of the saint, is a travel expert in Morocco: “Morocco has a long tradition of peaceful coexistence between different cultures and religions and its constitution recognizes a certain pluralism that helps to form the inclusive and open identity of the Moroccan people” – wanted to remember Jorge.