Connection to St. Augustine that Leo will find on 1st Lent parish visit

In an interview with I.MEDIA, Father Giovanni Vincenzo Patanè, parish priest, details what awaits the Pontiff on Sunday.

In this church located a stone's throw from the Tyrrhenian Sea coast, served by the Pallottine religious, the Bishop of Rome is to meet with children and young people, as well as the sick, the elderly, and the poor, before celebrating Mass at 5 p.m.

You are the first parish to welcome Leo XIV for a pastoral visit. What was the reaction of the faithful when you announced the news?

Father Giovanni Vincenzo Patanè: The reaction of the faithful was wonderful. They were very, very happy. On that day, the bishop of the zone, Auxiliary Bishop Renato Tarantelli Baccari, Vice-Regent of the Diocese of Rome, was celebrating Mass. He was the one who announced the Pope's visit in the church. The faithful burst into applause. They were filled with joy. It was really beautiful, very moving.

Your parish will be the first stop on the Pope's pastoral journey through the five zones of Rome during Lent. Why do you think it chosen to begin this journey?

Father Patanè: In my opinion, there are many reasons. First, our church [consecrated in 1928, editor's note] is dedicated to the Queen of Peace. It was built at the request of Pope Benedict XV during World War I, in order to invoke the gift of peace and ward off further wars. The very raison d'être of this church is linked to this call for peace. And Pope Leo XIV, from the very first moment he appeared on the central loggia after his election, invoked peace.

Today, the fact that he is beginning his pastoral visit here seems to me to have a beautiful meaning: that of wanting to invoke, once again, the gift of peace.

In fact, when the bishop called me to say, “We thought we would suggest your parish,” it was mainly in connection with this aspect.

Ostia is also linked to the life of St. Augustine — to his home, his spiritual vision — and to St. Monica ...

Father Patanè: There is indeed a strong link with St. Augustine, which makes it a place that is particularly dear to him. It was in Ostia that Augustine received his famous spiritual vision, and it was also in Ostia that his mother, St. Monica, lived and died.

Ostia also has a special feature compared to other areas of Rome: it has its own patron saint, who is St. Augustine. Although we are a municipality of Rome — whose patron is St. Peter — a few years ago [2004, editor's note], we had the privilege of having this specific patron [named] for Ostia.

Is there a statue or relic of Saint Augustine in the church here?

Father Patanè: In the church, there is an altar dedicated to the Bishop of Hippo, with a painting depicting St. Augustine and St. Monica. It was obvious from the outset that these two figures, who were deeply connected to this area, should be present in this building.

It should also be remembered that the foundations of the church were laid by the Augustinians [the Pope's religious order, editor's note], who were initially given responsibility for this project. The rest of the work was later entrusted to the Pallottine Fathers, who completed the construction and took charge of the pastoral care of the parish

Have other popes visited Santa Maria Regina Pacis?

Father Patanè: We have welcomed Paul VI, John XXIII, John Paul II, Pope Francis, and now Pope Leo. Almost all of [the popes], in fact, as this is the main parish of Ostia. Being the first church on the Roman coast, it is a point of reference for the entire territory and its inhabitants.

How many people are expected at Sunday's meeting?

Father Patanè: The parish has 26,000 inhabitants. Unfortunately, for safety and capacity reasons, only 500 people will be able to attend Mass inside the church. However, we will set up a large screen outside so that those who stay outside can follow the celebration, as we’re sure there will be a very large turnout.

Which groups will the Pope meet before Mass?

Father Patanè: There are many groups in the parish: the oratory, the scouts, the Neocatechumenal Way, Catholic Action, Renewal in the Spirit, etc. The Pope has asked to meet mainly with the children from catechism classes and the young people of the parish. There will be 500 of them participating in this outdoor event.

Then he has an appointment with the elderly, the sick, and the poor — about 250 people — in the gymnasium. The visit will begin at 4 p.m. and Mass at 5 p.m. After Mass, the Pope will appear before the crowd to greet the faithful who’ve stayed outside.

Can you tell us about your parish?

Father Patanè: For a parish priest, the parish is a bit like his wife. I always say that Regina Pacis is a beautiful wife. I’ve been the parish priest here for six and a half years, and I’ve always seen many people of good will. I’ve really met people who have a desire to get involved, to live their faith, and to invest themselves in social issues.

Of course, there’s no lack of difficulties and problems, but my experience to date shows me that there are really many people of good will. It’s an active, lively parish, a bit against the general trend compared with the parishes in the city center. The suburbs still manage to maintain more direct contact with the local area and therefore with the residents, which means that our parish is very well attended.

You work with two Pallottine parochial vicars like yourself. What’s the vocation of your congregation?

Father Patanè: When the Pallottines were founded [in 1835, editor's note], their fundamental mission was the apostolate of the laity, the involvement of the laity in the Church. This then became part of the heritage of the universal Church, because with the Second Vatican Council, the commitment of the laity and their active participation in the life of the communities were recognized as a central element of the Church. We continue our work mainly in parishes. Charitable works and the apostolate with the laity are the main aspects of what we seek to live out.