by Kate Folan, Director of Institutional Advancement
Nineteen pilgrims from Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary, led by Msgr. Bill Fay, embarked on a profound journey of faith this spring, departing from Boston and arriving in Assisi, Italy, the birthplace of St. Francis. What unfolded over the following days was not simply a tour of sacred places, but a deeply spiritual pilgrimage marked by prayer, fraternity, and encounters with the living tradition of the Church.
From the very first day, the tone of the pilgrimage was set in a place of extraordinary significance. The group celebrated Mass at Santa Maria degli Angeli, the great basilica built to enclose the Porziuncola—the small chapel restored by St. Francis himself. It was here that the Franciscan Order was born, where St. Clare made her vows, and where St. Francis spent his final days. To begin at the heart of Franciscan spirituality - so rooted in humility, poverty, and joyful surrender - was a grace that shaped the entire journey.
The following day continued in Assisi with visits to the Basilica of St. Clare and the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis. Standing before St. Clare’s incorrupt body offered a powerful witness to a life of simplicity and unwavering devotion. Nearby, the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis - a young witness of faith, dressed in jeans and sneakers - served as a striking reminder that holiness is not confined to the distant past. His life and love for the Eucharist offered a powerful witness, affirming that sanctity is possible in every age.
Later, the group prayed at the Basilica of St. Francis, where his relics are venerated. With his remains exposed for public devotion for the first time since his death, pilgrims were drawn into deeper reflection on Francis’ radical love for Christ, his embrace of poverty, and his enduring call to rebuild the Church. The day concluded with Mass at San Damiano, where Francis first heard Christ speak from the crucifix - a fitting place to renew one’s own call to service.
Departing Assisi, the pilgrimage continued to Orvieto, home to the magnificent cathedral tied to the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena. Praying before the relic of the miracle reinforced the Church’s teaching on the Real Presence and deepened the group’s Eucharistic devotion. From there, the pilgrims journeyed to Rome - the heart of the universal Church.
In Rome, the seminarians encountered the Church in all her depth and breadth. They visited the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the “Mother Church” of the world, and ascended the Scala Sancta on their knees in prayerful remembrance of Christ’s Passion. At the Basilica of St. Mary Major, they celebrated Mass and prayed at the tomb of Pope Francis, reflecting on his faithful service.
One of the most memorable moments of the pilgrimage came during the Wednesday General Audience at the Vatican. Gathered among pilgrims from around the world in St. Peter’s Square, the group experienced in a profound way the universality of the Church - many nations, languages, and cultures united in one faith. The highlight of the day was a personal encounter with the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, and the opportunity to take a group photo with him. It was a moment of quiet grace, marked by joy, humility, and a deep sense of communion with the Successor of Peter, leaving a lasting impression on all who were present.
The days that followed were filled with encounters that brought history and faith vividly to life. From walking through the Colosseum and Roman Forum to celebrating Mass with Cardinal James Michael Harvey at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the seminarians experienced the continuity of the Church across centuries. A visit to St. Peter’s Basilica proved especially meaningful, as the group celebrated Mass at the tomb of Pope St. John XXIII, the seminary’s patron, and later prayed at the tomb of St. Peter himself.
Art and beauty also played a central role in the pilgrimage. In the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s masterpieces lifted hearts and minds to God, reminding all present of the power of beauty to communicate divine truth. Meanwhile, visits to iconic sites such as the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona offered glimpses into the cultural richness that surrounds the Church’s history.
Amid the busyness of Rome, the pilgrimage continued with meaningful opportunities for reflection and encounter. A visit to the Pontifical North American College provided insight into seminary life in the Eternal City. The group also traveled to Castel Gandolfo, the historic summer residence of the popes overlooking Lake Albano, where generations of pontiffs have gone to pray and work during the summer months. Even shared meals - whether in bustling piazzas or along the countryside - became moments of fraternity and gratitude.
The final day of the pilgrimage brought the group back to the early Church. At the Catacombs of St. Callixtus - once the resting place of countless martyrs and early Christians -the seminarians celebrated Mass in a sacred space that continues to echo their witness of faith. At the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, relics of the Passion invited deeper reflection on Christ’s sacrifice.
As the pilgrimage drew to a close, the group gathered for a final evening together, giving thanks for a week filled with grace. Early the next morning, the pilgrims departed for Boston, carrying with them the fruits of their journey.
Pilgrimages always come to an end, but their purpose is not simply the experience of holy places - it is transformation. Strengthened in faith, deepened in prayer, and united in fraternity, these seminarians return renewed in their call to serve. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, they might well say: “Did not our hearts burn within us while He spoke to us on the way?”
