Updates from Rome: Youth Pilgrimage – Days 2 to 5

Pilgrims from the Diocese of East Anglia have been soaking up both the sunshine and the spirit of the Jubilee of Youth in Rome, with days two to five offering a rich mix of faith, history, and once-in-a-lifetime encounters.

Day 2 – St Peter’s Square and a Papal Surprise

The day began with Fr Peter giving a captivating talk on the history and symbolism of St Peter’s Square, setting the tone for an adventure-filled day. In true Roman style, pilgrims were sent off on a lively “orientation challenge” around the city, tasked with finding the best gelato, the most beautiful church, a Jubilee youth activity, and a striking Roman artefact.

The highlight of the day came during the opening Mass for Jubilee week, celebrated by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization. Spirits were high, but they soared even higher when Pope Leo unexpectedly passed through the crowds – just three metres away from the group! The evening wrapped up with food, laughter, and the kind of stories that only Rome can provide.

Day 3 – Saints, History and Evening Vespers

Wednesday was a blend of spiritual enrichment and cultural discovery. Pilgrims began at the 13th-century Santa Maria sopra Minerva, home to the incorrupt body of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, soon to be canonised. It was a moving moment of reflection and prayer.

Next stop was the Venerable English College, a place that holds deep significance for English Catholics. The college has trained priests for centuries, including East Anglian martyrs who risked – and often lost – their lives returning to England during the Reformation. Fr Peter, our pilgrimage chaplain, also trained there, making the visit especially meaningful.

In the afternoon, pilgrims visited St Augustine’s Church, where they prayed at the relics of St Monica, and St John the Baptist’s Church, finding quiet spaces for prayer. A few indulged in Rome’s liturgical shops, proving that even browsing religious wares can deepen faith (and probably lighten wallets).

As the sun dipped behind St Peter’s Basilica, the group gathered in St Peter’s Square for Vespers at 6:30pm. Deacon Jonathan led the prayers of the Church, and the sight of pilgrims praying under the Roman sky was a moment of unity that transcended centuries.

Day 4 – Walking Through Holy Doors

Thursday was a day of holy footsteps. Pilgrims began at St Peter’s Basilica, praying psalms and singing the Litany of Saints as they made the pilgrimage walk to the Holy Door. Inside, the beauty of the mosaics – which at first glance appear to be intricate paintings – left everyone awestruck. They prayed together around the tomb of St Peter, reciting the Creed with reverence.

The journey continued with a two-hour pilgrimage to St Paul’s Basilica, where they passed through another Holy Door and stood before the chains that once bound St Paul. In the afternoon, most of the group visited the Basilica of Mary Major (making it three Holy Doors in one day), while others enjoyed the views from the Spanish Steps.

The day ended with Mass in the Chapel of St Monica, followed by a visit to the Trevi Fountain and, naturally, a final gelato run.

Day 5 – Joyful Witness and a Concert Finale

Friday began with Mass at the Augustinianum, where pilgrims presented a small gift to thank the Augustinian community for their warm hospitality.

Later, the group visited the Missionaries of Charity at the Church of Pope Gregory the Great. Sitting on the very steps from which St Gregory sent St Augustine to evangelise England, they encountered the joyful witness of the sisters – a quiet but powerful moment of grace. Confessions were offered nearby, including at the Circus Maximus, which had been set up as a centre for the sacrament.

The day concluded in jubilant style with a concert by Matt Maher, an evening of song, dance, and praise that capped off the pilgrimage’s spiritual highs. For some, the journey through Rome’s four Holy Doors was completed at St John Lateran, marking a personal pilgrimage of renewal.

These days in Rome have been a journey of faith, fellowship, and rediscovery. As one pilgrim put it, walking through the Holy Doors wasn’t just about tradition but about stepping into a deeper sense of what it means to be the Church – alive, united, and full of joy.

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