Providential Pilgrimage

Woof. Here we are. We made it. Pilgrimage complete! Seven days (plus one travel day) have come to an end and, as evidenced by this blog, we have done a LOT. I am intimidated with the thought of adequately wrapping this up. Let’s just give it a go by starting with today!

We had our earliest wake-up call thus far (a record that will be beaten in a matter of hours after I post this) as we met at St. Peter’s Basilica for Mass at seven AM! Fr. Johnson went straight to the sacristy, grabbed all the “supplies” needed to conduct Mass, and we found an open altar. Not only was it special to have Mass in St. Peter’s again, but to have Mass said while dozens of other Masses were being said all across the Basilica was a pretty unique experience. We then climbed up to the top of the dome to get some swanky views inside and outside of the Basilica. Using some connections, we also snagged a tour of the Swiss Guard Barracks, which was WILDLY fascinating. After a brief lunch, we split up into separate groups for a couple of hours before gathering together again to go through the Vatican museum, snag dinner, and share graces from the pilgrimage as a whole. I would like to rewind a bit and focus on my experience during the split time after lunch.

Five fellas and I decided to use that time to go back into St. Peter’s Basilica one more time and to use that time as we wished. I walked around, just taking it all in, and started reflecting on our week. However, contrary to what I expected, no specific images, events, or conversations started popping up in my head; instead, my mind was completely overwhelmed by one question: “How did I get here?!” As I gazed at the gorgeous ceilings and side altars adorned with beautiful artwork of all kinds, all I could do was wonder about how unlikely my presence was on this trip considering where I was only seven years ago.

In high school, I excelled at math and science, so I chose my colleges with the intent to major in engineering. I ended up attending Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN for my freshman year to major in Engineering. After a year where I found myself lacking some sort of fulfillment faith-wise and/or major-wise, I decided to transfer to the University of Notre Dame heading into sophomore year. I was a Computer Engineering major that year, but similarly felt unfulfilled, so, going into junior year, I switched majors to Theology. As I continued to mull over this new major, I began to wonder about job opportunities (which, let me tell you, are less plentiful than Computer Engineering job opportunities). I found an amazing graduate program called Echo, through ND that placed me at a school somewhere in the U.S. while I pursued my Master’s in Theology. I got placed at this random, all-boys school in Houston, TX called Strake Jesuit. Now in my third year at SJ, I am blessed enough to still be employed at this amazing school and to have been invited to chaperone this pilgrimage! Wow. If this isn’t Divine Providence, I don’t know what is.

How many hoops did I have to jump through to get here? SO MANY. All the hoops! How close was I to not being on this trip—on this pilgrimage? SO CLOSE, so many times. What did I do to deserve a spot on this pilgrimage? Literally nothing. This is pure gift. All I can do is marvel at the last seven years of my life and retrospectively watch God’s hand guiding me from decision to decision until I find myself here, in St. Peter’s Basilica—the center of the Catholic Church—surrounded by some of the most beautiful artwork and most dedicated pilgrims this world has ever seen. God’s Providence led me here, to this city, to this pilgrimage, to this moment.

The amazing part is that is just me. There are 14 other stories just like this one—if not with more bobbing and weaving—that brought this group of pilgrims together in Rome for this week. God moved each and every one of us to make decisions that led us to this pilgrimage, and we did not take one moment for granted. We prayed together, ate together, laughed together, loved together, walked together, talked together, and grew closer to our Lord together. This pilgrimage would not have been the same without each one of us. We start the journey home in a matter of hours. It is unlikely that this particular group will gather for an extended period of time ever again. However, I hope and pray that this pilgrimage brought each of us at least one step closer to our eternal Home where we all can reunite once again at the true end of our pilgrimage. Let us pray that each of us continues following the providential hand of God and traveling further up and further in—continuously growing towards God with our whole being. Let us also pray that we might take the graces of our pilgrimage and bring them with us into every encounter with everyone and anyone we meet after this week, so that they might too grow and share in this goodness of the Lord.

Thank you all for your prayers and love! God has put them to good use.