Collegamento Nazionale Santuari to hold La Notte dei Santuari on October 31

The National Association of Shrines and the religious tourism section of the National Office for Catechesis will hold "The Night of the Shrines" on Saturday, October 31. This year marks the first time the event will take place on the eve of the Solemnity of All Saints, rather than in early June.

Approximately 150 events are scheduled across Italy, including prayer vigils, pilgrimages, testimonies, and cultural or artistic activities. The theme for the 2026 edition is "Aspire to holiness, wherever you are," which references words from a homily given by Pope Leo XIV on August 3, 2025. Father Marco Fagotti, who oversees the religious tourism section, stated that the October date was chosen because shrines are locations where holiness is experienced through connections to saints, relics, and faith experiences.

The Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony will participate by opening its doors for prayer and Eucharistic adoration from 21:00 to approximately 22:15. The basilica's rector, Father Antonio Ramina, confirmed the community's participation in the national initiative. Since its inception in 2019, the project has sought to promote shrines as centers for evangelization and pilgrimage.