University of Mary High School Rome Pilgrimage

Our last day in Rome was a memorable one. We had Mass with the Holy Father to celebrate the feast of Peter and Paul. This is a great privilege as this is one of the biggest feast days in all of Rome. Our students were all able to get great seats, and they even wheeled Papa Francesco down the aisle after mass! We are grateful to have been able to participate in mass with the successor of Peter.

We finished the day with a fantastic banquet meal. The chaplains and staff all had the chance to share a few words with the students. It was beautiful to see how deeply the chaplains care for their students, and how much the students love them in return. We are blessed to have so many young priests to witness to and journey with these students on their early pilgrimage. Now we return to the States. Thank you for allowing your children to participate in this pilgrimage. It was an honor to be able to lead them through Rome. Andiamo!

Hello friends and family! It’s hard to believe that we have just 2 days left on pilgrimage before we come back to the States. Today we spent one more day outside of Rome journeying from Assisi to Orvieto. There we were able to see the Cathedral of Orvieto, which is home to a breathtaking façade, the San Brizio chapel that Michelangelo studied before painting the Sistine Chapel, and, most importantly, another Eucharistic miracle. This miracle took place over 700 years ago, when a priest was traveling to Rome who was doubting the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. During the mass, the host actually started bleeding onto the corporal. That very corporal is still there today, and our pilgrims were able to pray in the presence of that corporal as well as the Blessed Sacrament. We have a lot to be grateful for!

Caio from Sienna! We began the day with mass at the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi, a privilege that few pilgrims are able to participate in. Students were able to pray at his tomb and after we journeyed to Siena where we spent time learning about and praying with the great St. Catherine of Siena. We finished the day with a holy hour in front of the Eucharist Miracle of Siena. It was truly beautiful to see our students adoring Jesus in the Eucharist that has been there for nearly 300 years. Pray that this hour of adoration increases our devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. 

Hello everyone! Today we left the hustle and bustle of Rome for the peaceful country side of Assisi. On our way, we stopped at one of the great Benedictine sites: Monte Casino. The abbey at Monte Casino is a very impressive structure that can house over 300 monks. We were welcomed with a hospitable Benedictine welcome, and were able to celebrate a Gregorian chant mass with the monks there. This, of course, is a very important site as we owe many of the Catholic institutions of North Dakota to our Benedictine heritage. Now we’re off to Assisi and will spend several days in the steps of some of the greatest saints, Francis and Clare!

For the second post today, I thought it would be good to hear from a student. The following was shared by student Abby Bohl:

“I had everything planned out, I expected to see the bones of St. Peter and start crying. I soon found out that I needed to allow Jesus to give those experiences, and while in St. Peter’s, after seeing the bones, I was feeling bad that I didn’t have that experience. While sitting in prayer, I heard the Lord say, ‘be still my child’ and I knew I needed to let him provide for me on this pilgrimage.”

Thank you for your continued prayers!

Salve amici!

Today we are truly blessed. Today was the reason we came to Rome. Today we got to see the bones of St. Peter! We were able to take all 120 students down beneath St. Peter’s in the Necropolis, or the city of the dead. This is the place where pilgrims have been coming to venerate the first Pope for nearly 2,000 years. Our students were incredibly grateful for the opportunity, and the Lord continues to move hearts.

Hello friends and family. Today began at the Mamertine Prison where Peter and Paul spent time together awaiting their death and baptizing other prisoners. Next, we toured through the Roman Forum and experienced the grandeur of Ancient Rome, saw the Senate building, and toured the infamous Colosseum. 

Buongiorno from Roma! We are happy to say that all students have arrived safely in Rome! Here is a picture of our last arrivals from Bishop Ryan and Sacred Heart. We had a brief scare for 5 Shanley students who lost their bags for a few hours. But, because of the hard work of Fr. Slattery, they were only missing for a few hours and we now have all the luggage. Praise the Lord! 

The early crew got out into the city to beat jet lag, and got to see some churches that are off the beaten path. We then finished our night with a wonderful dinner near campus which consisted of pasta alla gricia, pork, and plenty of water. The students are all in good spirits, and ready for bed. Click Read More to see the photo of the early arrival students. Thank you for your prayers!

Greetings good friends. We have had a super successful first day! After a 7 hour layover in Minneapolis, everything went smoothly and our students, although tired, are doing well. All students are accounted for, and have all their limbs. Pray for the last leg of our trip and that all our luggage arrives in one piece.