The Archdiocese of Liverpool Curia arranged for some staff to take a pilgrimage to Rome. On the way to Rome, the pilgrims received the news that the Holy Father Pope Francis had passed away. Some of the pilgrims wrote about their extraordinary pilgrimage. Dcn Paul Mannings, a permanent Deacon at the Metropolitan Cathedral who also works in the Education section, shares his experience:
Easter Monday
This is a highly emotional day because whilst still at Manchester we are hearing of the death of Pope Francis. Something stirs within us as we gather in the departure lounge for prayer. The focus of our pilgrimage is the Jubilee Year of Hope. My hope is that we all remain fast to the guidance and example of Pope Francis, through our own faith in action.
Our welcome to the Pontifical Beda College by Canon Phillip Gillespie, ‘Our Dom’ and the house staff has affirmed that hospitality is one of the golden threads running through this college. This truly is to be our home for the next days. The whole campus is sanctified by the spirit of its students and staff, past and present. Tonight, this was enriched by Holy Mass followed by the sharing of good food and fraternity to a standard that was to mark the week. How at home we are! Also tonight, we have been able to gather in St Peter’s Square for the Rosary. Here is the universal Church at prayer and in unity!
Easter Tuesday
Holy Mass at the Beda and so to the Basilica of St John Lateran and onto La Scala Sancta. Today is showing the precious dimension of this pilgrimage that includes facts, discussion, shared prayer and personal reflection. My onward bound journey to Santa Maria Maggiore has been curtailed because of the need to speak live with Granada Reports. What a privilege this is to link our humble pilgrimage prayer with our sisters and brothers in the north-west of England.
Tonight’s dinner was a celebration of the bond of community our little group of thirteen has brought about. (As the week progressed it is worthy of noting how well we all got on with no hint of angst.)
Easter Wednesday
An early start to Vatican City wherein we were met at the Porto Santa Anna by Archbishop Paul Gallagher who was the principal celebrant at Holy Mass in the Garrison Chapel. How privileged we were! God bless the stamina of the archbishop not least by his making time to meet with us prior to attending the reception of the body of the Pope.
Later today we had a unique experience as guests of His Excellency Bishop Gregory Komar, Apostolic Administrator of the Ukrainian Catholic Apostolic Exarchate of Italy. How we experienced the presence of the Lord in the house basilica and through the welcome and hospitality of its community.
We so needed tonight’s hiatus of rest at the Beda, with good food and drink. It was so beautifully underpinned by the Rosary beforehand in the beautiful garden.
Easter Thursday
Who could have predicted the spiritual effects of Holy Mass in the Catacombs of St Callistus, preceded by a ‘touch of Salesianity’ provided in the guided tour!
Onward to an afternoon of shopping, the collection of orders and some valued personal and smaller group space.
Tonight, amongst our honoured guests for dinner in the city were Archbishop Gallagher, Bishop Gregory and Canon Philip. We shall treasure forever those papal rosaries!
One of the highlights this week was to meet up with Sr Catherine Skelton at the International Pauline Books and Media and afterwards for a brief drink before duty recalled her!
Easter Friday
Talk about making the most of each day! What a finale to cross the road from the Beda to the Basilica of St Paul without the Walls, where we celebrated the final Holy Mass of our pilgrimage so appropriately within the baptistery. This whole pilgrimage has been an exercise in reliving daily our baptismal calling.
The barqueof our pilgrimage has been steered by Fr Sean! As we put to shoe may we live bywhat has been experienced!
