On Saturday 5th November we made the ‘Pilgrimage of the Seven Churches’ with the Centro San Lorenzo (the International Centre for the Youth). It was an experience which was thoroughly enjoyable and faith enriching and definitely one of the highlights of my time at the Emmanuel School of Mission so far. A group of about 100 young people (representing every continent in the world) met at 7am at St. Peter’s Basilica for Mass in the Crypt. It was a great privilege to be part of the celebration of the Eucharist in such a sacred place beside the tombs of Saint Peter, the rock of the faith, the Popes and great saints. We then had breakfast at the Centro before embarking on the long walk to Saint Paul’s Basilica, located outside the walls of Rome. Gathered around the great statue at the front of the Basilica, we reflected on the life of Saint Paul who penetrated so profoundly the mysteries of conversion of faith. From being a persecutor of Christians Saint Paul became a great missionary and fearless in proclaiming the Gospel in many lands. I left a candle at the flame (a mark of the year of Saint Paul, at the entrance to the Basilica) and prayed for the intentions of all those who have supported me for this missionary year. From there we walked to the Basilica of Saint Sebastian at the Catacombs. Saint Sebastian is one of the great Christian martyrs and while there we prayed for the courage, like Saint Sebastian, to give witness and testimony of the faith even in trying times. We had our packed lunch outside the Catacombs, and after each of us was given a Rosary beads blessed by Pope Benedict, we prayed the Rosary and reflected in silence for the next part of our walk. Next we came to the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome and mother church of the Church, whose dedication we celebrate on November 9th. There we meditated on the mystery of the Church as a universal Sacrament of Salvation. The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem which came next was a very special part of the Pilgrimage where we meditated upon the Cross of Christ, the great mystery in our faith. The church contains some relics traditionally linked to the Crucifixion of Christ, including parts of the ‘true cross’. As darkness descended we arrived at the Basilica of Saint Lawrence, outside the walls where we prayed to Saint Lawrence & Saint Stephen – two deacons that gave their testimony in Rome and Jerusalem. Finally, close to 7pm and twelve hours after we began our pilgrimage, we arrived at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major – the greatest of the churches dedicated to Our Lady and the only basilica that has preserved its original form. This was certainly one of the most blessed pilgrimages that I have ever undertaken. To be with the youth of the world undertaking this great pilgrimage, together meditating upon the lives of the saints was very special. Throughout the pilgrimage there were reflections from young people, seminarians, deacons, priests and lots of time to share the fellowship of one another, all gathered together in the eternal city on a mission for Christ.
