Seeking the sacred: Catholic leaders on pilgrimage

To be a pilgrim, one is asked to first set an intention, then establish a regular rhythm of seeking the sacred and, importantly, sharing the journey with fellow pilgrims. It was in this spirit that 29 ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, representing the leadership of various ministries and works of the Archdiocese, set out on a Jubilee pilgrimage led by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli, Fr Jerald Mariadas and Fr Dean Mathieson from 10 to 16 February 2025.

Arriving in Rome, and as a preamble to our first full day, we embarked on a tour of the evocative gardens and sights of the Magistral Palace of the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta. Through a keyhole, we enjoyed a unique framed view of the dome of St Peter’s Basilica, setting the tone for the days ahead.

On our first night in Rome, we celebrated Mass at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. In his welcome, the Archbishop encouraged us to make the most of opportunities for spiritual formation and the sacraments, and to deepen our understanding of each other’s works, foster friendships and, importantly, make time for some fun!

Our day began early, with the soft dawn light in St Peter’s Square setting the mood for our Mass in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St Peter’s Basilica and our visit to the tomb of St Peter.

The first of our formation sessions occurred the next day at the Lay Centre at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where theologian Dr Donna Orsuto led a session on ‘St Catherine of Siena and St Teresa of Avila: Messengers of Hope in Challenging Times’. An enjoyable Q&A session was followed by morning tea and Mass at the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria. The afternoon brought the opportunity to walk through the first two of Rome’s four Holy Doors: at the Basilica of St Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and at the Basilica of St John in Lateran, the former residence of the popes.

Our second day began early, with the soft dawn light in St Peter’s Square setting the mood for our Mass in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St Peter’s Basilica and our visit to the tomb of St Peter and other papal tombs, after which we walked through the ‘Door of Great Pardon’. Our guided tour featured the highlights of the Vatican Museums, Michelangelo’s stunning Pietà and the tomb of St John Paul II. In the afternoon, we gathered for Mass at the minor Basilica of Santa Maria della Vittoria, followed by an inspiring talk by Dr Claudio Betti of the St Sant’Egidio Community, who spoke to us about the community’s endeavours to foster diplomacy and peace. The evening concluded with dinner and prayer alongside the community at the Chiesa di Sant’Egidio in Trastevere.

The town of Assisi—its rolling hills and valleys glowing in the morning and evening light—was a perfect setting for our final days of pilgrimage.

Our third day began with Mass celebrated at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, where we walked through the final Holy Door and visited the tomb of St Paul, ‘the Great Evangelist’, visible now under the papal altar. We then continued along the ancient Appian Way, the oldest road still existing from Roman times, to the ancient Catacombs, where thousands of early Christians are buried.

We farewelled Rome on the fourth day, driving through the scenic Umbrian countryside to the beautiful medieval town of Assisi, where St Francis founded the Franciscan Order. Mass was celebrated at the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, with the opportunity to pray at the Portiuncula (meaning ‘small portion of land’), the chapel where, on Palm Sunday 1211, St Francis received Clare of Assisi and dedicated her to the Lord. Following lunch, we visited the hermitage (Eremo delle Carceri) in the woods and the simple cave where St Francis often withdrew to spend many hours praying, enjoying a time of quiet and prayer in this oasis of tranquillity.

We had been faithful pilgrims, caring for each other through the days, comparing steps, sharing meals, laughs, rapid rosaries and reluctant sing-alongs on the bus.

The town of Assisi—its rolling hills and valleys glowing in the morning and evening light—was a perfect setting for our final days of pilgrimage. With our knowledgeable guide, we made our way to the Basilica of St Francis for Mass. The Upper Basilica features the famous fresco cycle of the life of St Francis, and the Lower Basilica houses the tomb of Francis, where we each took some time to seek the intercession of this spiritual hero. We then walked to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore to visit and pray at the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis—a young Catholic boy from Italy who had a passionate devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and who died of leukaemia at the age of 15, offering his suffering for the Pope and the Church. Our final visit for the day was to the Church of San Damiano, where the famous crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis is housed.

Before leaving Assisi, we also had the opportunity to visit the tomb and relics of St Clare, attend Vespers in the Basilica of St Clare and listen to the angelic voices of the Poor Clare nuns.

Travelling back to Rome to depart for home, we stopped at the medieval town of Orvieto, where the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) was first proclaimed in 1263, following the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena. We celebrated our Sunday Eucharist and final Mass here before concluding our pilgrimage.

The opportunity to travel with fellow leaders, guided by priests and the Archbishop, gave me a more meaningful understanding of what we are all called to as witnesses to our faith.

We had been faithful pilgrims, caring for each other through the days, comparing steps, sharing meals, laughs, rapid rosaries and reluctant sing-alongs on the bus, shopping for lighter jackets, availing ourselves of Italian haircuts and enjoying the much-anticipated drinks and dinners together. We ranged from our fifties to the tender age of 79, none more or less human and fallible than the other. Returning home, we look forward to sharing our stories, experiences and prayers with our parishes, family, colleagues and friends.

Echoing the words of St Paul, and more recently Pope Francis, the Archbishop reminds us that ‘hope does not disappoint’ and encourages those who do not have the opportunity to visit Rome this Jubilee Year to visit one of the 13 churches and shrines within the Archdiocese that are designated Pilgrim Places for the 2025 Jubilee. Here, pilgrims can receive Jubilee indulgences at this special time of grace.

This pilgrimage was genuinely imbued with hope, an experience beyond any expectations.

While this was my third trip to Rome, it was unlike any other. The opportunity to travel with fellow leaders, guided by priests and the Archbishop, gave me a more meaningful understanding of what we are all called to as witnesses to our faith. Each pilgrim carried particular intentions with them. Mine were the many souls I have cared for and continue to care for as a palliative care physician. And as a mother of young adult children, I prayed especially for young people. For me, this pilgrimage was genuinely imbued with hope, an experience beyond any expectations.