This morning, the Early Christian Baptistery of Santa Maria Maggiore welcomed a moment of great spiritual intensity and participation, becoming once again a living place of faith, prayer, and communion.

The Holy Mass with the baptism rite was presided over by His Excellency Monsignor Giuseppe Giudice, Bishop of the Diocese of Nocera-Sarno, who led the celebration in an atmosphere of deep reflection and shared joy. The large presence of the faithful made the meeting particularly significant, witnessing the strong bond of the community with this place full of history and spirituality.

The baptismal rite, the heart of the celebration, highlighted the profound meaning of Baptism as the origin of Christian life and a source of continuous renewal for every believer. An experience made even more evocative by the architectural beauty and historical value of the Baptistery, which continues to speak to the present through its ancient testimony of faith.

At the conclusion of the celebration, the Bishop and the parish priest, Father Fabio Senatore, unveiled a marble plaque in the antiquarium, a commemoration of the Jubilee Year celebrated at the Paleochristian Baptistery: a tangible sign of memory and gratitude for a journey that has left a profound mark on the life of the community.

In his remarks, Father Fabio Senatore, parish priest of Santa Maria Maggiore, emphasized the spiritual value of the Jubilee journey experienced in this place:

“We have experienced a year of grace. We have welcomed many pilgrims who have come to this place, more than twenty groups, and approximately two thousand people who have come here to draw on the Lord's grace. It is not only a beautiful place to see, but a place to experience, one that allows us to be reborn in spirit, as on the day of our Baptism. Thank you for the support (referring to His Excellency, editor's note) you are giving us in the work of enhancing this site and for the presence of the Baptistery in the nativity scene in St. Peter's Square.”

Words that describe a Baptistery not only to be admired, but to be experienced, as a space for encounter and spiritual rebirth.

Bishop Giuseppe Giudice also forcefully reaffirmed the authentic meaning of this site, recalling its original vocation and its value for the faith of the Church:

“A place is not only beautiful to look at, but it is a place to be experienced, which allows us to be reborn in the Spirit, as on the day of our Baptism. I am pleased that we are restoring this site to its original meaning: it was born for Baptism, it was born for faith. Woe betide us if it becomes a museum.”

The Bishop then urged the faithful to cherish the gift of Baptism as the foundation of Christian life:

“This morning we not only baptized three children, but each of us was renewed in the faith of Baptism. Let us never forget this. With Baptism, we have an extra edge: life is almost lifted from the mud and becomes a piece of heaven.”

The Parish donated “The Twins with the Cameo of the Baptistery” by Michele Cicalese to Bishop Giuseppe Giudice, and the morning concluded in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and gratitude, with the awareness of having shared an intense experience, capable of strengthening the sense of belonging and renewing the community's journey of faith, in the spirit of a place that continues to generate new life.