From Prato with love … 1500 stoles for the Missionaries of Mercy

To mark the Jubilee of the Missionaries of Mercy, the Diocese of Prato, together with the city and the Prato textile district, donated 1500 stoles for this group of priests, instituted by Pope Francis, who are sent throughout the world to bring forgiveness and hope, with the faculty of absolving the sins reserved to the Apostolic See.

The stoles are made of warm purple jacquard fabric and are proper artisan products, made by several companies in the Prato textile district, the most important in Europe. The design on the liturgical vestments is by Monsignor Daniele Scaccini, Vicar General of the Diocese of Prato. The logo takes up the symbols of the Jubilee and features a cross intertwined with the keys of St. Peter, a reference to the mission of priests and their task of bringing the light of Christ to the world, represented by gold filaments to represent radiance and light.

On March 29, during the Jubilee of the Missionaries of Mercy, the Bishop of Prato, Giovanni Nerbini and the Mayor of the city, Ilaria Bugetti, arrived at the Vatican to symbolically deliver a stole to Archbishop Rino Fisichella in the splendid setting of the Vatican Gardens. The stoles were then distributed to the Missionaries of Mercy as a mandate to renew their commitment to the ministry before the main celebration on Sunday.

This donation, which recalls the donation of a cope to St John Paul II 25 years ago is a source of great pride for the city and the textile district of Prato.