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Francis and Francis

Rome, Italy 

Pope Francis greets the Mundelein Seminary pilgrims after the Papal General Audience

As we approach the beginning of our silent retreat, I am filled with great gratitude for all the experiences and people we have encountered along this journey. We have travelled through Turkey, a non-Christian land, following St. Paul in his various journeys and visits to the churches in the region. This experience has certainly increased my appreciation for the gift of my Catholic faith and the way in which I can profess it back home in the United States. Next, in Greece, we embarked on our journey through a land that has a strong Christian tradition, and especially a devotion to the Virgin Mary. Finally, we have followed St. Paul to Rome, the heart of the Catholic Church, to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

But our pilgrimage is far from over, even though our days abroad are numbered. Today, we had the great privilege to visit the Vicar of Christ on earth, His Holiness Pope Francis. Our group, representing Mundelein Seminary, was able to sit in some of the first rows during the Pope’s General Audience.

We heard his inspirational words about the “active” virtue of Hope. Pope Francis told us, in Italian and various other languages, that we say “Come” not only in reference to the Holy Spirit who guides the Church along like a ship, but also to call out to Christ who came at Christmas and is to come again. After this, we had the unique opportunity to take a picture with Pope Francis. Some of the seminarians shook his hand and greeted him. The pope was eager to greet us, and through this encounter, I recall the words of St. Francis of Assisi, my confirmation saint, saying, “Come,” in a spiritual way.

Fr. Arturo explains some history to the pilgrims before entering the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi

Then, we travelled to the Porziuncola in Assisi and had a beautiful Mass in a nearby chapel. It is wonderful having our Franciscan brothers with us, especially Fr. Arturo, whom we now welcome to our pilgrimage group. Fr. Arturo will lead us in retreat over the course of the next few days in Assisi.

Beginning with Pope Francis, and continuing with St. Francis of Assisi, I am filled with hope, eagerness, and especially gratitude for all the ways the Holy Spirit desires to fill our hearts as we approach the conclusion of our travels and prepare for ordination to the Diaconate. 

-Andrew Bogusz, Diocese of Joliet

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