Among the few Italians at that first pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1971 were Sister Ida Maria Ferri, an Augustinian canoness in Rome, and Father Renzo del Fante, chaplain at a residential facility for elderly and disabled people. The nun worked in religious education for children with disabilities, adapting the Montessori method developed by Sofia Cavalletti—the "Good Shepherd" approach—which opened a path to the spiritual potential in every child. Sister Ferri and Father del Fante attended the international meeting in September 1973 to decide whether Fede e Luce would organize a pilgrimage to Rome during the Holy Year of 1975, or whether the young communities would simply participate in diocesan programs instead. Sister Ida's intervention proved decisive. Those who knew her—including Enrica Nucci—described her as "a woman of few words but many deeds." Letizia Lanzetta, who was a child then, added: "always with candies in her pocket." It was her heartfelt plea that swayed the delegates, who had seemed convinced the logistics would be impossible.
"In France," Sister Ida said, "the pilgrimage to Lourdes gave the communities a tremendous boost. That hasn't happened for us in Italy. We were too few. We couldn't pass the flame along. But we're certain—if you come to Italy, that flame will spread everywhere in our country and beyond." Father Renzo agreed: "If Fede e Luce crosses the Alps, it will be the spark that sets Italy on fire—and beyond its borders too!"
The delegates were convinced. The Pilgrimage of Reconciliation was approved. A team was formed to handle the logistics, coordinated by Mariangela Bertolini, followed months later by the establishment of a legally recognized association. What followed was the birth of numerous communities throughout Italy and beyond.