Pride and surprise. When the news arrived on board the Vespucci that “the most beautiful sailing ship in the world” would be the “ship of the Jubilee”, enthusiasm exploded among the crew. «I was the one who gave the communication that had come to me from the military ordinary, Monsignor Santo Marcianò», he says the chaplain, Don Mauro Medaglini. «A joy to know that among the places identified as the venue for the Jubilee, in addition to the main church and other significant places such as the military prison and the Celio hospital, thought was also given to operational theatersto those places where soldiers, far from their families and their daily lives, try to bring peace and hope.”
«Being a Jubilee ship fills us with satisfaction and is, for us, an important sign of attention», adds the commander, captain Giuseppe Lai. «We consider that we are engaged in a very long activity. Our world tour began in June 2023. When you stay at sea for so long, far from home, the spiritual aspect, the care of people’s souls, is fundamental.”
The official start of the jubilee year for the crew “but also for the communities we will continue to meet”, specifies the chaplain, will take place on Sunday 12 January. A mass that will begin with a small procession from the space in front of Don Mauro’s accommodation, where it is celebrated on weekdays, up to the keep “which allows for greater participation”. Behind the cross, carried by the chaplain, a group of sailors who have been preparing for confirmation in recent months.
«For the Vespucci, being a jubilee ship is another first time added to the others of this second round the world trip after the one in 2002-2003» comments the commander. «During this navigation, in fact, the sailing ship crossed the passage of Cape Horn, touched a series of ports along Latin America until reaching the Galapagos Islands, Los Angeles, Tokyo. And again, among our first visits, there was South East Asia, with the Philippines, Singapore, India, the Gulf. And the countries of the Arab world, Oman, where we are now, waiting to leave for the Emirates…”. An «exciting experience, like touching Everest for a climber. There is enthusiasm, but serenity is also essential. This is the password I gave myself from the beginning. And in this the spiritual element, even of secular spirituality, is centralan element that helps maintain morale and cohesion on board. This is also why we have always had a military chaplain on board during our campaigns.”
«On this world tour which promotes, with the events organized by Difesa Servizi, Italian culture and excellence in the world», adds Don Mauro, «and even more from now on with this “responsibility” of being a jubilee ship, We try to bring joy and hope in the various places where we stop. Now we are also aware of having a sort of “privilege” that will help us experience daily fatigue with a different meaning, in an even stronger way than we already did. We will now see what concrete initiatives to put in place, to become increasingly aware that the “pilgrimage” is the daily service that the military provides, every day and every moment, for everyone.”
