University of Mary High School Rome Pilgrimage

We're excited to have you along for our Rome pilgrimage

Posts about 2023:

June 29: Final Day in Rome

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John Dinkel Jul 1, 2023 6:55:46 PM
June 29: Final Day in Rome

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!

June 28, 2023: Orvieto

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John Dinkel Jun 28, 2023 10:50:05 AM
June 28, 2023: Orvieto

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!

June 27, 2023: St. Francis and St. Catherine

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John Dinkel Jun 27, 2023 1:10:13 PM
June 27, 2023: St. Francis and St. Catherine

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. 

June 26, 2023: Assisi

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John Dinkel Jun 26, 2023 4:20:50 PM
June 26, 2023: Assisi
Today was a special day indeed. We endured a long hike up to St. Francis of Assisi’s hermitage, where we were able to pray in the same place he spent most of his time. Although it was very difficult, many of the students said that this was their favorite day. We were also able to see and pray in front of the relics of St. Clare and Blessed Carlos Acutis today as well. 
 
Assisi has been a great change of pace for us all and it has increased freedom in many of the pilgrims’ hearts. I find that a common topic of conversation is about how the Lord is working in their hearts. It’s hopeful to hear that receiving their phones back isn’t the first thing they’re excited about upon returning home!

June 25, 2023: Monte Casino

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John Dinkel Jun 25, 2023 4:37:51 PM
June 25, 2023: Monte Casino

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!

June 24, 2023: St. John Lateran, Holy Stairs, and Church of the Holy Cross

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John Dinkel Jun 24, 2023 4:50:59 PM
June 24, 2023: St. John Lateran, Holy Stairs, and Church of the Holy Cross
Family and friends, 
 
It’s been a beautiful journey to experience Rome with these pilgrims. Today we were fortunate to see the church of St. John Lateran, the Holy Stairs, and relics from Jesus’ crucifixion in the Church of the Holy Cross. It was a moving experience to witness these relics and to see the students be so impacted by them. Many students were moved to tears through the realization that Jesus died for their sins. This will be a day to process and pray through for years to come.
 
Tomorrow we are off to Assisi! The students are excited for a new city and a change of pace. While spending some time in conversation with students, I often hear, “I actually don’t miss my phone”. This topic of discussion has been common throughout the trip, and it’s amazing to see them grow in freedom without their phones. This is incredible to hear and I hope it brings you all encouragement to hear this grace.
 

JUNE 23, 2023: Tombs of the Saints

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John Dinkel Jun 24, 2023 11:35:46 AM
JUNE 23, 2023: Tombs of the Saints
Ciao!
Today was a very full day. This morning, we saw many of the main attractions of Rome: the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, and the churches of St. Ignatius, St. Agnes, Dodici Apostoli, and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. We were able to pray by the tombs of several saints, including the apostles St. Philip and St. James, as well as St. Agnes. It was a wonderful day on pilgrimage, and all pilgrims continue to do well! Click “Read More” to see more photos from the day.
 

June 22, 2023: Student Testimony

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John Dinkel Jun 22, 2023 12:49:19 PM
June 22, 2023: Student Testimony

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!

June 22, 2023: The Scavi Tour

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John Dinkel Jun 22, 2023 7:47:36 AM
June 22, 2023: The Scavi Tour

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.

June 21, 2023: Buora Sera!

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John Dinkel Jun 21, 2023 7:46:27 PM
June 21, 2023: Buora Sera!
Buora sera!
 
Today we had a wonderful day touring churches, walking on cobble stone streets and we finished off the day with real Italian pizza! Although the Papal Audience was canceled, we were able to adapt and offer many beautiful sites to see and opportunities to bond with students from other schools. We were able to see the churches of St. Clement, St. Cecilia, Santa Maria in Trastevere, and St Paul’s Outside the Walls. 
 
The students’ are starting to be moved by what the Lord is doing on pilgrimage. They are starting to create more vulnerability in their hearts to be open to Jesus. Praise God! Keep the students in your prayers, specifically for openness to graces from witnessing the Beauty of the Church and the call to generosity and holiness.
 
In the picture is Cardinal Harvey, with our students. He was generous enough to give our tour of St. Paul Outside the Walls. It was a great privilege to be given a tour of a major basilica with an apostle of Christ!

June 20: Forum, Colosseum, and Mary Major

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John Dinkel Jun 20, 2023 1:18:12 PM
June 20: Forum, Colosseum, and Mary Major

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. 

June 19, 2023: Buongiorno from Roma!

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John Dinkel Jun 19, 2023 5:49:18 PM
June 19, 2023: Buongiorno from Roma!

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!

June 18, 2023: On Our Way!

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John Dinkel Jun 19, 2023 8:06:44 AM
June 18, 2023: On Our Way!

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.