Vatican office unveils Faith Scroll for pilgrims

November 16, 2012 - On the occasion of the Year of Faith, pilgrims to Rome can now share their thoughts about the gift of faith by writing them on a special scroll at the Holy See's in-house travel agency, known as Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi (ORP). “Since it's the Year of Faith people are going to live intense experiences of faith,” said the office’s director, Father Cesare Atuire, after the scroll’s inauguration on Thursday. “So we've decided to create this initiative whereby people can actually leave something written down – their thoughts, their emotions, concerning what their faith really means for them.” Those entries that the Pilgrim Office deems the most inspiring will be posted on a blog associated with it at www.jospers.travel. Fr. Atuire hopes this will create a mini community whereby loggers can share their experience of faith. Designed by New York architect Isabella Mancini, the Faith Scroll can be found in the pilgrim office, which is located just next to St. Peter’s Square. The scroll stand has a slot where pilgrims can drop their intentions which will be prayed for at a Mass each month in St. Peter's Basilica during the Year of Faith. Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi is an activity of the Vicariate of Rome, Department of the Holy See, directly under the Vicar of Rome Diocese of which the Pope is the Bishop. Also known as the Vatican’s pilgrim office, ORP is a source of information for visitors to Rome. It also promotes and facilitates pilgrimages to Rome, Marian shrines in Europe and the Holy Land.