Pilgrims Jennifer Burns, Sarah Ryan-Purcell, Fr Pontianus, Marie Keating and Roisin KissaneThere was great excitement at Cork Airport this morning as 53 young people from the Diocese of Cork and Ross departed for Rome.
The pilgrims are taking part in the international Jubilee of Youth celebrations, which will see young people gather from all over the world to celebrate our Catholic faith.
The Cork and Ross group received a warm welcome at the Pontifical Irish College, where they will be staying for the week, in the heart of Rome. The group celebrated an opening Mass with Bishop Fintan to mark the beginning of the pilgrimage.
In his homily, Bishop Fintan reflected on the day’s Gospel, telling the young pilgrims: “This journey to Rome is your mustard seed moment. This week in Rome is the beginning of something God wants to grow in you and through you.”
Bishop Fintan reflected on the day’s Gospel, telling the young pilgrims: “This journey to Rome is your mustard seed moment. This week in Rome is the beginning of something God wants to grow in you and through you.”
Pilgrims Ciara Rodahan, Aoife Kiely and Oonagh NwankoHe encouraged them to be open and fully enter into the experience: “Don’t limit yourself. Be present – reflect, pray, recognise God at work. Experiment with the tools we offered you through our preparatory gatherings: prayer, lectio divina, journaling, the examen, and so on. Be generous with God and with one another.”
The group looks forward to a week of joyful and faith-filled celebrations, including catechesis sessions with internationally renowned speakers, a special gathering of Irish pilgrims featuring a concert with Christian artist Sarah Kroger, and an overnight vigil with Pope Leo.
