"Become a light in the heart of the Church." Pope Francis
Rome pilgrimages
We have been organising pilgrimages to Rome every two years. Our next one is under review at present due to Covid-19. These are carefully thought out week-long pilgrimages at the start of Lent, of between 10-20 pilgrims, with visits to emblematic Roman churches and cultural sites, group prayer and meetings with LGBT+ organisations and theologians paying particular attention to the integration of LGBT+ people in the Catholic Church. Please see below a selection of photos from recent pilgrimages. For further information on our 2021 pilgrimage please email us.
Advance notice: ** The 5th LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Rome Pilgrimage is scheduled to take place from 3-9 March 2025. Please email us for more information!
Lent 2023 Rome pilgrimage
Members of LGBT+ Catholics Westminster have just completed their 4th Pilgrimage to Rome for the start of Lent 2023. During the 1st week of Lent they attended Pope Francis' General Audience, Ash Wednesday, 22 February, also taking part in the traditional Afternoon Mass with the Blessing of Ashes at Santa Sabina Dominican Church. The group celebrated Mass in St. Ignatius of Loyola's rooms, next to the Jesuit Church of the Gesù and also in the Redemptorist Church of the Holy Redeemer and St. Alphonsus, the titular church of Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
Morning Prayer, remembering the martyrs of our own times and particularly victims of homophobia and transphobia, was celebrated in the San Egidio Community's Church of St. Bartholomew-on-the-Island. They also met with English-speaking journalists working in Rome as well as with members of Italian LGBT+ groups: The Almond Branch; Word & Words - for parents of LGBT+ & LGBT+ parents; and the national network, Ways of Hope. The pilgrimage ended with Sunday Mass at the Caravita Oratory, joining members of Rome's English-speaking Catholic community.
The 5th LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Rome Pilgrimage is scheduled to take place from 3-9 March 2025.
Lent 2019 Rome pilgrimage
We were delighted to meet with Pope Francis on Ash Wednesday 6 March 2019!
Lent 2017 Rome pilgrimage
A memorable pilgrimage, accompanied by the prayers of Cardinal Vincent Nichols
