How would I describe the jubilee pilgrimage I recently led to Italy? First and foremost, it was a ministry and mission, not a vacation. As I emphasized to the 34 pilgrims who traveled with me, we must remember that we did not come as tourists but as pilgrims. Our purpose was to grow in the virtues of faith, hope, and love, and to become better missionary-disciples of Jesus Christ.
Our journey took us to several Holy Sites: Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare; San Giovanni Rotondo, home of Padre Pio, the 20th-century Italian saint, priest, stigmatist, and mystic (1887-1968); Lanciano, known for the first recorded Catholic Eucharistic Miracle; Loreto, a renowned Marian pilgrimage town famous for the Santa Casa, or Holy House of the Virgin; the Salerno Cathedral, or Duomo di Salerno, built in the Romanesque style in the 11th century, which houses the crypt of St. Matthew; and the Sorrento Cathedral (Duomo dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo), also built in the 11th century and dedicated to St. Philip and St. James.
During our final days, we entered the “Four Holy Doors” to receive plenary indulgences—these are the Holy Doors of the four major basilicas in Rome, which are ceremonially opened by the Pope during Jubilee years. They are located at St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City), St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and Santa Maria Maggiore. As we passed through these doors, we remembered that this ritual symbolizes a spiritual journey from sin to grace.
Celebrating Mass in these magnificent and historic cathedrals and basilicas was a treasured gift and a profound blessing. I prayed for all of you and our parish during these moments. Additionally, I lit candles for your special intentions at each holy place we visited.
I thank God for the opportunity to be part of this jubilee pilgrimage to Rome, which traditionally occurs every 25 years. I don’t anticipate waiting that long to go on another one! I hope our young people come to recognize the spiritual significance of pilgrimage. It is a spiritual exercise that the Church promotes to deepen our faith, hope, love, and holiness.
The most joyous part of our pilgrimage was seeing Pope Leo XIV during Wednesday’s Papal Audience amidst thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square. We received his blessing and listened to his wisdom. He reminded us:
“To journey with Jesus means to experience being sustained despite everything—to have our thirst quenched and to be refreshed amid the hardships and struggles that, like heavy stones, threaten to block or divert our path through life. At times, we feel joyful; at other times, sad. We may feel fulfilled or stressed, gratified or demotivated. We lead busy lives, focusing on results and sometimes even attaining prestigious goals. Other times, we remain suspended—precarious—awaiting success or recognition. In short, we find ourselves in a paradox: we long to be happy, yet lasting happiness often eludes us. This deep desire in our hearts cannot be satisfied by roles, power, or possessions. It can only be fulfilled by the certainty that someone sustains this foundational impulse of our humanity and by the assurance that our deepest hopes will not be disappointed. The Risen Christ is our certainty and hope.
It’s not mere optimism—optimism often collapses under the weight of disappointment. But hope, Christian hope, promises and fulfills. The Risen Jesus is the guarantee of this deliverance! He is the wellspring that satisfies our thirst—the infinite thirst for fullness placed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.”
I am glad to be back in the parish, renewed and hopeful for continued blessings upon our community.
In Christ and Mary,
Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California
