Story by Lisa Louis
My husband, Mark, and I saw a Jubilee Year of Hope pilgrimage as a once in a lifetime opportunity for us individually and as a couple. While we were very excited as we embarked on September 29, we really had no idea how amazing the experience would be. It’s honestly hard for us to adequately describe the impact it had on us. For ten very full days of spiritual growth and touring we walked with open hearts and awe. As executive director of the Catholic Foundation, my personal and professional lives blend naturally. In this way I was humbled to offer my personal prayer intentions in these holy places, along with my prayer for the mission of the Catholic Foundation and our many wonderful donors.
Although on a hectic schedule, our group was grounded with daily Mass, group prayer and Catholic insights offered by our spiritual leader, Fr. James Campbell, pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in Franklin. Pilgrims in our group represented several parishes: Saint Jude, Sacred Heart/Saint Paul in Erie, Saint Boniface in Kersey and Saint Mary and Queen of the World in Saint Marys. Deacon Joe Persinger and his wife, Julia, who spend their time between Erie and Saint Jude Parish, and the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, where Deacon Joe serves as chaplain, were also included. Earpieces used throughout the visit enabled Fr. James to privately lead us in prayer while touring.
Florence was an ideal starting point where Italian culture was on full display, uniquely anchored in Catholic and art history. Michaelangelo’s David was a highlight. The city life of Florence quickly gave way to the extraordinary Tuscan countryside and Assisi.
To walk where Saint Francis walked and be immersed in the origin of his ministry in Assisi, is both a step back in time and remarkable inspiration for the future. We gathered on the ancient square where Saint Francis renounced his wealth and embraced a life of poverty and service to God. The square is just steps away from the tomb of Saint Carlo Acutis we visited, in the Church of Saint Mary Major. On Assisi’s remote hilltop surrounded by ancient walls of stone, Fr. James led us in Mass in an intimate chapel. The nearby Church of Saint Clare, founder of the Poor Clares, beautifully honors this saint who was inspired by Saint Francis and – fast forward hundreds of years -- inspired our daughter to choose Clare as her confirmation name.
The basilica at Loreto is the reliquary of the Holy House – the structure in which the Annunciation is said to have occurred. Miraculously escaping the Muslim invasion of Palestine, the Virgin’s house is said to have been carried aloft by angels, or perhaps with angels guiding Crusaders or facilitated by others, eventually to this Hill of Loreto where the Basilica of the Holy House has become a site of pilgrimage. At this site one pilgrim in our group reverently honors Mary in a quiet remark by referring to her as the “original tabernacle.”
Witness of a more contemporary saint, Padre Pio, was relatable in yet a different way. The mother-in-law of our on-site tour guide knew Padre Pio personally, having worked with him as a seamstress in the Capuchin monastery. The Shrine of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina in its remote hilltop village of San Giovanni Rotondo rivals ancient homages with new inspiration and the resources of modern times.
Saint Pio is known to have walked fourteen miles from San Giovanni Rotondo to the shore of the Adriatic Sea. There he prayed at the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel, where the Archangel Michael is said to have appeared in 490, 492 and 1656 and consecrated the shrine himself. Saint Francis also is said to have prayed at this shrine, a cave now surrounded by a church structure. Special prayers were said here for one of our sons, who was inspired to choose Saint Michael for his confirmation name.
Yet another monumental visit, Montecassino Abbey, is where Saint Benedict founded the Benedictine order in 529 AD. Tour highlights included the once humble room where Saint Benedict wrote his Rule.
“Andiamo” means “let’s go.” Now to Rome, where this group of pilgrims passed through all four Holy Doors in the Basilicas of Saint Mary Major, where Pope Francis is buried, Saint John Lateran, Saint Paul Outside the Walls and Saint Peter. Private mass for the group that day was in a chapel in the crypt of Saint Peter Bascilica. A fascinating tour of the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian along the Appian Way just outside the center city of Rome specially honors this martyr and saint who was buried there in the 3rd century. Not lost on we two Louises is that Saint Sebastian inspired our youngest son’s confirmation name. In divine fashion, that makes for three of our four children’s confirmation namesakes extraordinarily witnessed to us on an itinerary we did not plan.
The audience with Pope Leo was a finishing touch of the pilgrimage. A very early morning and almost crushing line in the streets leading to security processing, led us to the square that on this day held upwards of 60,000 pilgrims. Bells ringing and voices celebrating in many languages heralded the pope into the square and as he rode through the audience, truly the Universal Church on display in all its glory! The pope’s remarks ensued in many languages before our group heard Pope Leo exclaim, “I extend a warm welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors,” which drew much excitement and cheering. “I encourage you to look to the Blessed Virgin Mary who is the sublime model of consecration to the Father, union with the Son and opened to the Spirit. God bless you all!” He concluded brief remarks on the theme Jesus Christ as our hope with, “Let us ask the Lord for the grace to recognize his humble presence and to accept life’s trials with joy as we await his coming in glory.”
Our Jubilee of Hope pilgrimage to Italy was an experience of a lifetime. It was exciting, fascinating, informative, humbling, inspiring, hope-filled … oh yes, and delizioso! I could go on and on. Suffice to say this pilgrimage prompted in me contemplation that will continue for a very long time, and renewed hope and faith in all that can be drawn from our beautiful, ancient, and universal Catholic faith.
*Author’s note: this article reflects the pilgrimage itinerary and participants’ memory . It has not been sourced re: historical fact or Catholic teaching.
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Mid-town Assisi
Father Campbell leading prayer at the Holy House.
Gelato just steps from Saint Michael's cave, Adriatic Sea
Tomb of Saint Pio
Montecassino Abbey
Approaching the holy doors.
At the Basilica of Saint John Lateran
Pizza!
Shrine of Saint Sebastian
Tomb of Pope Francis
Church housing the tomb of Saint Carlos Acutis
Our Vatican Mass celebrants
Line for Papal audience
Ticket for Papal audience
Inside the Vatican