ROME, ITALY — A recent pilgrimage to Rome from St. Cloud, Minnesota, highlighted the power of connection and shared faith among travelers. While attending Mass at the Pontifical North American College, I unexpectedly reunited with my friend, Jennie Korsmo, who was touring the city with a different group. This serendipitous encounter underscored the essence of pilgrimage, as familiar faces began to appear at various landmarks throughout our journey.
Just hours after the joyful reunion, my husband, Troy, and I stood in St. Peter’s Square, praying the noonday Angelus with Pope Leo. As we navigated the bustling streets, we came across Deacon Rick Lagasse and his wife, Denise, both of whom hail from Rugby, North Dakota. Our day began with a tour of the college led by seminarians Paul Guertin from Elk River and Neal Anderson from Albany. Later that evening, we met with Card. James Michael Harvey, a Milwaukee native who once managed the papal households of popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
The connections to our home region extended beyond these chance encounters. Even before departing for Italy, I followed Ken Fischer, a fellow parishioner from Sts. Anne and Joachim, as he shared moments with his daughter, Maddie, studying in Rome. The excitement for our pilgrimage grew as I commented on their joyful reunion, realizing how intertwined our journeys had become.
Each day in Rome felt like a return home, resonating with the adage that “all roads lead to Rome.” This phrase, originating from the vast network of roads built during the Roman Empire, now reflects the spiritual paths that guide many towards a common goal or faith. As we visited some of the city’s 900 churches, I pondered the deeper significance of our congregation at this sacred site in the 2025th year of our Lord.
Our pilgrimage began on Holy Thursday, coinciding with Pope Francis’s proclamation of a Jubilee Year of Hope. This timing felt serendipitous, allowing us to renew a long-held desire to return to this spiritually rich city and to celebrate our upcoming 34th wedding anniversary on November 23. Jubilee years, celebrated every 25 years, invite Christians to reflect on their faith, echoing biblical traditions found in Leviticus 25:8-10.
As I learned from art historian Liz Lev, the tradition of the jubilee dates back to 1300, when Pope Boniface VIII issued the first papal jubilee proclamation, attracting throngs of pilgrims to Rome. The grandeur of the city, with its magnificent fountains originally created to quench the thirst of weary travelers, left a profound impact on me as we navigated its historic streets.
During our pilgrimage, we were granted the opportunity to pass through four holy doors, a privilege that symbolizes Jesus as the entry point to salvation. This practice, once limited to Vatican basilicas, was expanded by Pope Francis in 2015 to include all bishops, allowing pilgrims to receive special blessings. Our experience of walking in a procession towards St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest church, was unexpectedly moving. As we prayed behind a large cross, I found myself reflecting on personal challenges while feeling immense gratitude for our presence in this birthplace of Christianity.
The stunning artistry within St. Peter’s Basilica, including Michelangelo’s Pietà and the intricate details of the architecture, offered a tangible connection to the history of Christian faith. Each site we visited deepened my appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who forged the path to this enduring faith.
Beyond Rome, our journey took us through the narrow, cobbled streets of Siena and the high streets of Orvieto, where the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta stands as a testament to the Eucharistic miracle of 1263. In Assisi, we sang “The Prayer of Saint Francis” in the chapel of the saint’s birthplace, a reminder of the renewal of faith during challenging times.
As our pilgrimage drew to a close, I reflected on our final moments in Rome. On our last day, as we made our way through St. Peter’s Square, I felt a sense of fulfillment. We represented not only ourselves but also our friends back home, who pray for peace and the flourishing of faith worldwide.
The morning after, while taxiing to the airport, I glanced back at the city. A familiar phrase on a bus window caught my eye: “All Roads Lead to Home.” This idea resonated deeply, reinforcing that while we may have traveled nearly 5,000 miles from Fargo, our spiritual journey connects us to a greater home — one that ultimately leads to heaven, our final destination.
