The first Fraternity pilgrimage to Rome has been a great success. Forty-nine pilgrims, most of them members spent a week in the Eternal City, flying out from Dublin on the morning of Friday 24th August. Four pilgrims travelled for the United Kingdom and spent a few days with the main group.
Fr John, our Father Director, led the pilgrimage and we were accompanied by our Protector Bishop, Bishop Michael Smith. The itinerary was designed according to the traditional pilgrimages to the seven Basilicas of Rome, with visits to other notable sites, among them the Catacombs of St Callistus, Tre Fountane, Nettuno (shrine of St Maria Goretti). Also included in the itinerary was a pilgrimage to the tomb of St Genesius, which is preserved in the Church of Santa Susanna. Given that it is the Pauline Year, a visit to the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside-the-Walls was a priority, and afterwards a pilgrimage to the tomb of Blessed James Alberione, the Apostle of the Media and founder of the Pauline Family.
The group stayed at Casa La Salle, on the Via Aurelia, the guest house run by the De La Salle Order at their Mother House not too far from St Peter’s Basilica. The accommodation was good and evening meal was provided - good Italian cooking.
Other activities included a trip to the Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel, a panoramic tour of Rome and various sightseeing expeditions, including the all-important visits to Rome’s ice cream parlours - the best in the world. On the final evening a farewell dinner was held in a beautiful restaurant on the outskirts of the city.
The highpoints of the pilgrimage were the various liturgies in the Basilicas and churches. Bishop Smith was chief celebrant at Masses in St Peter’s Basilica in the Chapel of the Patrons of Europe in the crypt near St Peter’s tomb; in St Mary Major’s, in the Chapel of Our Lady Salus Romani Populi; and at St Paul’s Outside-the-Walls. He also led Vespers at the tomb of Blessed James Alberione and at the tomb of St Genesius in Santa Susanna. With the group was Fr Vincent Twomey SVD, Professor Emeritus of Moral Theology at Maynooth and renowned theologian. He is a former student and friend of Pope Benedict, and he preached a number of insightful homilies during the week while officiating at Mass in the Chapel of St Laurence at the Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs. Fr John was chief celebrant at the opening Mass in Santa Susanna and at the Shrine of St Maria Goretti. The beautiful music was provided by Timmy Goggin, who premiered his new hymn in honour of St Genesius at the tomb of St Genesius.
The final event of the pilgrimage was Vespers in the Church of Santa Susanna, at the tomb of St Genesius. Bishop Smith led the prayers and during his homily commended the Fraternity for its work, quoting the words of the Holy Father, “It is a wonderful work”. Following Vespers, Fr John presented Bishop Smith with an icon of St Genesius as a token of thanks for his support, and then, presented the Bishop with the gift of gold pectoral cross on behalf of all the members of the Fraternity, for his forthcoming anniversary - Bishop Smith will celebrate the Silver Jubilee of his Episcopal Ordination in January.
The group returned home to Ireland on Friday the 31st. Father Director and the members of the Council are delighted with the success of the pilgrimage and it is hoped that another will take place within the next few years. Fr John expressed the desire that the next pilgrimage will reflect the international character of the Fraternity with members from other countries travelling to Rome with us to visit the tombs of Ss Peter and Paul, and to honour our patron St Genesius.
Fr John, our Father Director, led the pilgrimage and we were accompanied by our Protector Bishop, Bishop Michael Smith. The itinerary was designed according to the traditional pilgrimages to the seven Basilicas of Rome, with visits to other notable sites, among them the Catacombs of St Callistus, Tre Fountane, Nettuno (shrine of St Maria Goretti). Also included in the itinerary was a pilgrimage to the tomb of St Genesius, which is preserved in the Church of Santa Susanna. Given that it is the Pauline Year, a visit to the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside-the-Walls was a priority, and afterwards a pilgrimage to the tomb of Blessed James Alberione, the Apostle of the Media and founder of the Pauline Family.
The group stayed at Casa La Salle, on the Via Aurelia, the guest house run by the De La Salle Order at their Mother House not too far from St Peter’s Basilica. The accommodation was good and evening meal was provided - good Italian cooking.
Other activities included a trip to the Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel, a panoramic tour of Rome and various sightseeing expeditions, including the all-important visits to Rome’s ice cream parlours - the best in the world. On the final evening a farewell dinner was held in a beautiful restaurant on the outskirts of the city.
The highpoints of the pilgrimage were the various liturgies in the Basilicas and churches. Bishop Smith was chief celebrant at Masses in St Peter’s Basilica in the Chapel of the Patrons of Europe in the crypt near St Peter’s tomb; in St Mary Major’s, in the Chapel of Our Lady Salus Romani Populi; and at St Paul’s Outside-the-Walls. He also led Vespers at the tomb of Blessed James Alberione and at the tomb of St Genesius in Santa Susanna. With the group was Fr Vincent Twomey SVD, Professor Emeritus of Moral Theology at Maynooth and renowned theologian. He is a former student and friend of Pope Benedict, and he preached a number of insightful homilies during the week while officiating at Mass in the Chapel of St Laurence at the Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs. Fr John was chief celebrant at the opening Mass in Santa Susanna and at the Shrine of St Maria Goretti. The beautiful music was provided by Timmy Goggin, who premiered his new hymn in honour of St Genesius at the tomb of St Genesius.
The final event of the pilgrimage was Vespers in the Church of Santa Susanna, at the tomb of St Genesius. Bishop Smith led the prayers and during his homily commended the Fraternity for its work, quoting the words of the Holy Father, “It is a wonderful work”. Following Vespers, Fr John presented Bishop Smith with an icon of St Genesius as a token of thanks for his support, and then, presented the Bishop with the gift of gold pectoral cross on behalf of all the members of the Fraternity, for his forthcoming anniversary - Bishop Smith will celebrate the Silver Jubilee of his Episcopal Ordination in January.
The group returned home to Ireland on Friday the 31st. Father Director and the members of the Council are delighted with the success of the pilgrimage and it is hoped that another will take place within the next few years. Fr John expressed the desire that the next pilgrimage will reflect the international character of the Fraternity with members from other countries travelling to Rome with us to visit the tombs of Ss Peter and Paul, and to honour our patron St Genesius.
FRATERNITY’S FIRST PILGRIMAGE TO ROME A SUCCESS
The tomb of St Genesius, Church of Santa Susanna, Rome
Praying for those involved in cinema and theatre
