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Pilgrimage from Macerata to Loreto is the 38th Macerata-Loreto Pilgrimage on foot. The near-17.5 mile (28 kilometer) pilgrimage is made on foot and at night, concluding at the Shrine of Loreto where the Holy House is. “I have awaited you day and night” Dear friends, Going toward Loreto, you will more easily discover the bottomless depths of your need if you keep before your eyes the witness the Lord has given us to make a human journey today: Pope Francis. Who could have imagined his way of answering the problems of the world and the urgent needs of life? A Jubilee Year of Mercy. “Yes, humanly speaking, it is foolish, but ‘the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men’ (I Cor 1:25).” Let us learn this outlook from the Pope. “That which delights and attracts, that which humbles and overcomes, that which opens and unleashes, is not the power of instruments or the force of law, but rather the omnipotent weakness of divine love, which...

From an address It would be an error to hold that one who goes on pilgrimage lives not a personal but a “mass” spirituality. In reality, the pilgrim bears within him his history, his  faith, the lights and shadows of his life. Everyone has in his heart a special desire and a particular prayer. [...]  A shrine is really a privileged place to encounter the Lord and to touch His mercy with the hand. To go to confession in a shrine is to have the experience of  touching God’s mercy with the hand. Therefore, the key word that I want to stress today together with you is welcome: to welcome pilgrims. With welcome, so to speak,  we stake all — an affectionate, festive, cordial and patient welcome. Patience is also necessary! The Gospels present Jesus to us always welcoming those who approach  Him, especially the sick, the sinners and the marginalized. And we recall His expression: “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who  sent Me...