Pilgrimage of Hope: A Witness from Rome

A Cambourne parish musician reflects on her faith-renewing pilgrimage to Rome with the Catholic Police Guild during the Jubilee Year of Hope, including a memorable encounter with the Pope.

My name is Shumona, and I serve as a musician at Our Lady of Lourdes & St John Fisher’s Parish in Cambourne. Recently I was privileged to join the Catholic Police Guild of England & Wales (CPG) on the Jubilee Pilgrimage to Rome, an experience that has deepened my faith and renewed my hope.

As a mum working full-time, life can often feel overwhelming, yet my faith continues to guide me through its many challenges. In October, I had the wonderful opportunity to take part in the Jubilee 2025 pilgrimage, during which I met His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in person. The 2025 to 2026 Jubilee, themed “Pilgrims of Hope”, calls each of us to “fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision”, in the words of Pope Francis.

The Jubilee is a sacred time of spiritual renewal and forgiveness within the Church. Every 25 years, the four main Papal Basilicas in Rome and Vatican City open their Jubilee doors. This tradition began with Pope Boniface VIII in 1300 and symbolises a special pathway to God’s mercy and grace.

Thanks to the Catholic Police Guild’s organisation, and alongside colleagues from police forces across the United Kingdom, I was able to explore many of Rome’s ancient and holy sites. Our National Chaplain, Fr Barry Lomax, guided us spiritually each day, celebrating Mass in the beautiful Chapel of the Venerable English College which forms seminarians for England and for dioceses around the world.

The highlight of the pilgrimage for me came at St Peter’s Basilica where we attended the weekly General Audience. It was there that the Catholic Police Guild presented the Pope with a custodian police helmet bearing the cypher of Greater Manchester Police, which he graciously accepted. He then approached and blessed my rosary. This was a deeply personal and moving moment which I will cherish forever.

This pilgrimage has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Although I feel a little sadness that the journey has ended, I remain profoundly grateful for the blessing it has been. My faith has been renewed in ways I can only begin to describe.

For anyone considering joining the Pilgrimage of Hope, which remains open until January 2026, I can only encourage you to go. You will not regret it.

Further information about the Catholic Police Guild can be found at:

www.catholicpoliceguild.co.uk

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