I will never forget this trip. The Jubilee of Youth and the rest of this pilgrimage was truly amazing. I’ve come back inspired, blessed, more grateful for all I have, and of course with a strengthened relationship with the Lord.
We started in Turin, with a 5-hour hike up and down Poggio Frassati, ascending 800m to 2000m above sea level, imitating the hikes of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, helping each other up to eventually celebrate Mass at the summit.
This pilgrimage was so jam-packed that it’s incredibly hard to choose a favourite part; every day was unique and special in its own right.
However, one part particularly stood out to me. We visited where Bl. Chiara rests, in a small town called Sassello, and talked to her childhood friend Chicca. This was the first I had heard of Chiara’s story, and to hear it from someone she was close with was even more special. Chiara lived a short but beautiful life, she was diagnosed with a painful form of bone cancer at 16. However, her faith and spirit never dwindled, and she continued to love the Lord despite the horrors she was going through. Chiara eventually died and was beatified. From hearing her story and talking to her friend, who experienced this at the same age I am now, the beatitudes and the call to live like saints suddenly became much more real and relatable. I realised she was a normal person too, like me and the rest of our group, and if she could live with such strong faith then maybe I could too.
Next, we visited the beautiful town of Assisi, the home to the resting places of St. Francis, St Clare, and Blessed Carlo Acutis. We were able to see where Carlo rests, in his navy hoodie and jeans, dressed the same way many of us do. This made Carlo’s story and the call to sainthood even more relatable and inspiring. We also toured around Assisi, following the life of St Francis and making our way to Santa Maria degli Angeli, his favourite place. We spent the rest of our time in Assisi, building relationships with other pilgrims and taking part in processions.
Then we made our way to Rome. We stayed in a hotel within a 5 min walk to St Peter’s Square. As this year is the year of the Jubilee, the Holy Doors were open. We were able to walk through the Holy Doors at Santa Maria Maggiore, symbolising a passage from sin to grace, and a new beginning for a deeper relationship with Christ. This is also where the late Pope Francis is buried, so we were able to pray right next to his tomb.
Then of course we get to the Jubilee of Youth in Tor Vergata. Never in my life have I been surrounded by so many people that had a common interest. Over 1 million young Catholics from across the world attended. I felt so small but part of something so much greater. I met people from every corner of the globe, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and both North and South America. People had travelled further, from less fortunate backgrounds, and had stronger faith than me. I was inspired by their faith and sheer number of people in attendance. Then of course we had a beautiful vigil with Pope Leo XIV (Papa Leone), with verses in English, Spanish, Italian, French, Polish, German, and Portuguese. This showed to me that God really has no limit, and that He means so much to so many. His love is that great.
The final highlight of this pilgrimage was the amazing people I got to experience it with. We started as strangers and became friends after a matter of days. We shared our testimonies and our journeys. It was refreshing to have conversations with other young Catholics who experience similar struggles as I do, to know that you are not alone, and we’re part of a community who can look after and pray for one another.