Come with me to Rome!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I announce to you a great joy…we have a PILGRIMAGE! Save the dates of June 8-18, 2026, for once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Assisi, Orvieto, and Rome.
We’ve talked about it, now it’s officially happening: we’re going to Italy, and the readers of our e-news and bulletin have first access to sign up.
In just over a year, joined by Fr. Evan Glowzinski from St. Peter Chanel and Fr. Logan Weber of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, it will be my great joy to lead a pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Francis, St. Claire, Blessed Carlo Acutis, and of course St. Peter and St. Paul into the heart of Italy.
We will start in Assisi, where the Lord called the young Francesco Bernadone to abandon everything to focus on the simplicity and power of the Gospel, starting the Franciscan order. Assisi is also the final resting place of the first Millennial Blessed…Bl. Carlo Acutis, known for his radical love of the Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. We will dive into their lives, taking in the peace and charm of this medieval gem in the breathtaking Umbrian hills.
On our way down to Rome, we will detour to the hilltop town of Orvieto, whose gorgeous cathedral houses the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena.
Then, we arrive in the Eternal City, having the chance to pray in the 4 Major Basilicas, encountering the relics of Our Lord’s Passion, taking in the Vatican Museums, and all the while enjoying incredible Italian cuisine, including some of my favorite restaurants from my time in seminary there (brace yourself for the most amazing rigatoni alla carbonara you’ve ever tasted).
And of course, we have lined up the Wednesday Audience in St. Peter’s Square, where we will have the great honor of not only seeing the new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, but also hearing him teach and of receiving his Apostolic Blessing.
While this trip will be fun, it’s not a tour or a vacation, it is intentionally designed as a pilgrimage, so we will take time each day to pray and to reflect on what we have seen and experienced. We will have Mass on some of the most beautiful altars in the world, encountering real saints…the life of the Universal Church comes alive!
We only have 35 spots, and Fr. Evan is also inviting members of St. Peter Chanel to participate, so if you’d like to come, I invite you to sign up!
Praised be Jesus Christ, alleluia! Now and forever, alleluia!
St. Francis, St. Clare, Bl. Carlo, St. Peter, St. Paul, and all you holy saints of God, pray for us!
Peace in Christ,
Fr. Michael Silloway
Pastor