The Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo is a place of worship in the historic center of Rome, located in Piazza del Popolo.
In the Cerasi chapel of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo is preserved the painting "Conversion on the Way to Damascus" by Caravaggio.
From the Gospel of Mark (Mk 1:14-20)
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.”
16 And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him.
“Repent and believe” Jesus says to his apostles; “why do you persecute me?” he says to Saint Paul in the form of a blinding light.
And they follow him, abandon everything, change their lives, even change some of their granitic beliefs as in the case of Saint Paul.
To believe means to convert, to change some things that block us, that prevent us from opening our hearts to Jesus.
What is the biggest obstacle in your way to faith?
What makes the path to your conversion more difficult?
Which path and which place are most significant to your faith?
Mark them on a sheet of paper that you will exchange with someone else to learn about other places of conversion.
In light of what has been read, experienced, reflected upon, shared... insert words here that summarize the experience.
A journey that knows how to make a pilgrimage to the Jubilee of Young people, from 28 July to 3 August 2025, with a rich program and an experience proposed by the Branca R/S for all young people and their communities of reference: Tracce di Speranza (Traces of Hope).
traccedisperanza.agesci.it available to all, born in the Jubilee Year!
