International Women’s Day of Prayer

International Women’s Day of Prayer in Catania, Sicily, Italy

March 8, 2025 | Inter-European Division | Anna Ciminello

Sabbath, March 8, was a joyous day, filled with flowers, for the Adventist church in Catania, Sicily, the city of the volcano, Etna. All of the men dedicated poems, Bible verses, songs, and flowers to the women in attendance. The time of worship, in which the congregation participated, helped us reflect, through some female figures from the Bible and beyond, on how to deal with life’s difficulties by drawing, with determination, strength, and faith, on what sustained these women: looking to Jesus the Author and fulfillment of faith.

In the afternoon, after an agape fellowship meal, the chuch held a gathering with games, anecdotes, and the testimonies that enriched those present and created an atmosphere of good humor and lightheartedness. In the late afternoon, some women from our church were invited to participate in a debate at the Basilica della Collegiata, in Catania. The debate was led by two renowned Catholic historians and theologians, Professors Adriana Valerio and Cettina Militello. In their speeches, they made qualified contributions, reiterating how, after centuries of oblivion, women have carved out significant spiritual and moral roles within religious communities over the past 150 years.