Pilgrimage to Rome for First World Jubilee of Hairdressers and Beauty Therapists

A throng of beauty professionals participated in the first World Jubilee of Hairdressers and Beauty Therapists. Pope Francis sent a fond greeting to the delegation following the Angelus.

“The thrill of being in St. Peter’s with Pope Francis was indescribable,” declared Ruggero Pallucchini, President of the first World Jubilee of Hairdressers and Beauty Therapists Promotional Committee.

In spite of a series of unfortunate events in the days leading up to October 30th –including the earthquake that was also felt in the Roman province– many succeeded in reaching the Via della Conciliazione to set out on the pilgrimage to St. Peter’s for the Angelus. “We don’t know exactly how many of us there were, but it doesn’t matter because it was sufficient to hear the eloquent and thunderous applause in the moment when the Pope, after the Angelus, greeted us so lovingly,” said Ruggero Pallucchini and Giulio Bagni, Committee Secretary.

The next day, Monday, 31st October, the Committee representatives met at the Basilica di S. Maria Sopra Minerva for the celebration of the Mass in honour of St. Martino de Porres, officiated by Rino Fisichella. During his homily, some meaningful words were pronounced: “The Mercy that enters us today offers us two gifts: Consolation and Compassion. Every Christian must never consider another person as a stranger, because this will lead to solitude, one of the worst evils of man (…) S. Martin De Porres, protector of your trade, offered all these grandiose virtues together.”

At the end of the Mass of the Patron Saint of hairdressers, certificates acknowledging participation in the Jubilee of Mercy were distributed as a souvenir of this wonderful event.

The Promotional Committee then expressed their heartfelt thanks to the trade associations of the Camera Italiana Acconciatura, CNA Benessere e Sanità, Confartigianato, Anam Accademia Nazionale Acconciatori Misti, and to Estetica Magazine. Ruggero Pallucchini also added: “We would also like to thank those without whom this event would never have taken place: Rino Fisichella, President of the Jubilee of Mercy, Georg Gaswein, Prefect of the Pontifical Household, Father Daniele Ancone, Vice Rector of the Basilica S. Maria Sopra Minerva, Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi (Secretary of the Jubilee Organisation), Press Point Roma for The Jubilee, Collegio Parrucchieri di Roma e Provincia, S. Martin de Porres National Committee, Wolf Anime Films in Rome.”