Epic Pilgrimage

Last Saturday was definitely the best one I've had yet here in Rome, and one of the most memorable days of my life. Our group of 25 students walked over 20 miles on a pilgrimage around the entire city of Rome, visiting all 7 major basilicas. It was the most humbling and faith enriching experience I've ever had. We began our journey by leaving at 6am in a silent hour walking to the Vatican. Carried the banner through St. Peter's Square, and prayed inside the basilica as our first stop of the day. Over the course of the day we also visited the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Santa Maria Maggiore, St. Sebastiano fuori le mura, St. Croce in Jerusalem, and St. Lorenzo fuori le mura.





Although I've been actively involved in my Church at home, I've never had the experience of publicly proclaiming our faith-and it was a wonderful experience to sing throughout the streets of Rome, pray the rosary out loud..(might I mention, we prayed 4 full rosaries today and sang a divine mercy chaplet), praise the Good Lord in all the Churches, and be surrounded by a fantastic group of people all doing the same thing.

We arrived back at 8pm, so 14 hours of walking today-almost a full marathon. It was great to spread joy to the world. Had a lot of people ask where we were from, and I won't forget this one old man who made the sign of the cross and pointed at our banners. Awesomeness.
It also made me think, how so many people are martyred, even today, for proclaiming the word of God.   And how fortunate we are here, to be able to do it freely. There is no way this would happen back home in Grand Rapids, but in Rome, people do this, and it's amazing.
Blessed to have this opportunity.