Pilgrimage to Rome opportunity for pilgrims to live faith

Living our faith in our daily lives is an experience most of us strive for. Experiencing our faith in the city that built many of our traditions — Rome — is a moving experience, one that humbly reminds us of our Christian roots.

When Archbishop Carlson received his pallium, the ultimate symbol of his role as shepherd, on June 29 at St. Peter’s Basilica, more than 100 of his St. Louis flock, including members of the Archdiocesan Choir, were present. Those pilgrims spent eight days in Rome, exploring some of the most significant churches and holy sites of our faith.

The pilgrimage included Mass every day, celebrated by Archbishop Carlson and priests from St. Louis and Saginaw, Mich., at magnificent churches such as St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican; the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome; the Basilica of St. Mary Major, built in the fourth century; the Basilica of San Francesco, built in Assisi shortly after St. Francis’ death in the 13th century; and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where St. Paul is believed to have been buried.

To celebrate Mass in such significant places was a blessing for the priests who joined in every step of the pilgrimage.