Luigi’s pilgrimage – walking for hope
Luigi Farroni is currently walking 3,000 kilometres across southern Europe to raise awareness of Mary's Meals’ vision that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education.
On 25 March, Luigi Farroni set out on his “Walk of Hope” – a 3,000-kilometre pilgrimage on foot through four European countries to support Mary's Meals mission of feeding children in 16 of the world’s poorest countries.
Inspired by His Holiness Pope Francis’ announcement of the “Pilgrims of Hope” Jubilee, Luigi left Loreto Sanctuary in Italy on a journey that will last almost four months – and aims to arrive in Fatima, Portugal, in July 2025.
I caught up with Luigi on the road to ask him more about his “Walk of Hope”.
Mary’s Meals: Hello Luigi. Firstly, could you tell us why you’re walking from your home in Italy, all the way to Portugal?
Luigi Farroni: That’s a very good question! It's a pilgrimage, a long journey – I enjoy challenging myself! I live 50km from Loreto, so I often visit the sanctuary. The date, 25 March, is significant, as it’s the Feast of the Annunciation and the Holy House of Nazareth.
The aim of my “Walk of Hope” is to raise awareness of Mary's Meals’ mission to provide a daily school meal to children in their place of education, and to raise funds to help the charity reach the next hungry child waiting.
I’m Mary's Meals’ regional coordinator in the Marche region of Italy, and have fundraised in parishes, village festivals and local events to raise awareness of our life-changing work. I wanted to go on a journey with at least 3 million steps to symbolise the charity’s goal of feeding 3 million children. So, it's all about combining a journey of faith, hope and charity.
Why did you decide to fundraise for Mary’s Meals?
In 2015, I listened to a testimony by Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, the founder of Mary’s Meals, in Medjugorje. I was really impressed by Mary’s Meals’ transparency, simplicity and effectiveness as an answer to world hunger.
I called my pilgrimage the “Walk of Hope” as 2025 is the Holy Year of Jubilee of the Catholic Church. Hope is one of our theological virtues and can be cultivated by anyone who nurtures it. The daily food Mary’s Meals provides for the children is a symbol of hope. The meal encourages children to attend school, where they can learn and grow, and then use their education to give back to and help their communities. It’s a way of saying: “There’s hope for you too, for a brighter future.”
Could you tell us more about the actual route you’re walking?
The journey from Loreto to Fatima is over 3,000km and has about 110 stages. I may not follow the exact route exactly, depending on my physical condition and my ability to manage the journey. I might combine or adjust some stages as needed.
I’m currently walking across Italy, which is about 1,000km – Loreto, Rome, Genoa, Turin and Val di Susa – then through Mont Genèvre to France. It’s another 1,000km to Lourdes – and then on to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and 800km on the French Way to Santiago de Compostela – and finally to the Sanctuary of Fatima in Portugal.
I aim to arrive in late July. The average distance between stages is quite long. It’s an average of 32km a day – some 40km and others 25km.
How can people follow, participate or contribute to your journey?
People can follow me through social media, Instagram and Facebook or others. I'll post daily updates to let people know where I am, so they can meet and greet me, and maybe walk a few kilometres or even days together. People could even start their own personal journey in their own country to support Mary's Meals.
There are also different ways people can support and contribute. These include making an online donation or if you represent a company or business, you can sponsor a school. You can also help me spread the message via social media and word of mouth you’re your friends and family.
It costs just £19.15, €22, $25.20 USD or $31.70 CAD to provide a child with school meals for an entire school year. There are many ways you can help us to reach the next hungry child waiting for Mary’s Meals. There may even be a Mary's Meals office or volunteer group in your area. Learn more about how you can get involved and make a difference.
Silvia Tolve is our Director of Fundraising at Mary’s Meals Italy.