The Shalom Convention – 45 Years will include a special moment in the heart of the Catholic Church. On November 19, Convention participants will gather in Rome to celebrate Mass at the Main Altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, in Vatican City.
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The celebration is part of the events marking the 45th anniversary of the Shalom Catholic Community. Mass will take place on the same day that the Community will be received by Pope Leo XIV for a private audience. The Eucharistic celebration will therefore be an opportunity to give thanks for the history of the vocation and to renew the Community’s offering of its life to God.
A moment of communion in the heart of the Church
Celebrating Mass at the Main Altar of St. Peter’s Basilica will allow Convention participants to experience a moment of particular spiritual significance. The altar is closely connected to the memory of the Apostle Peter and holds a central place in the life of the Catholic Church.
For the Shalom Catholic Community, the Mass will be an opportunity to present to God the history built over 45 years and to renew its desire to serve the Church and humanity through the Shalom Charism.
The celebration will also be experienced as a Kairós of gratitude, unity, and offering of life, bringing members of the Community together around the Eucharist.
Religious and Cultural Significance
St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the world’s most historically, culturally, and spiritually significant sites. Built over the site traditionally associated with the tomb of the Apostle Peter, the Basilica is one of the principal symbols of the Catholic Church and welcomes millions of pilgrims every year.
For Catholics, being in this place means drawing close to a memory deeply connected to the origins of the Church and to the mission entrusted by Christ to Peter and his successors. Beyond its religious significance, St. Peter’s Basilica is home to an artistic and cultural heritage of universal value, including works by some of the greatest masters in art history.
A Historic Moment
The celebration on November 19 will also hold an unprecedented significance for the Shalom Catholic Community: it will be the first time the Community celebrates the Eucharist inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Throughout its history, the Shalom Community has celebrated Mass in other Papal Basilicas in Rome and in Assisi, but celebrating at the Vatican’s principal basilica will mark a new step in the Community’s experience of communion with the Church. The Eucharist will therefore also become a milestone in the history of the 45 years of the Vocation, lived out at the heart of the Church and in communion with the Successor of Peter.
How to secure your spot
If you are still discerning whether to attend or organizing the final details of your trip, now is the right time to make your decision and take advantage of the current registration opportunity.
Rome and Assisi are waiting for you. Don’t wait until the last minute—be part of another unforgettable chapter in our history alongside the Successor of Peter.
