RomeItaly There is nothing more attractive than holiness. How else can you explain the universal appeal of a five-foot-tall Algerian nun, raised in Yugoslavia, who lived and worked in the slums of India? Why else would over 125,000 people from across the globe flock to St. Peter’s Square in Rome to participate in the canonization of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, including a group of twenty-two people from the Guerin Catholic community? Each of us were drawn to take part in this pilgrimage to Rome because of Mother Teresa’s own love for Jesus, and the way she loved Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor. The recognition by the Church that she is indeed in heaven interceding for us as a saint would be the climax and capstone to the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis, and we were determined to be a part of it. After arriving in Rome and celebrating Mass near the tombs of the early Christian martyrs in the catacombs of St. Callixtus, we made pilgrimage to each of the Holy Doors in the four major basilicas of St. Peter’s, St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. We attended the Wednesday General Audience with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, where he spoke of Christ’s mercy toward the woman with the hemorrhage in Matthew’s Gospel, and how we must have similar courage to approach Him for healing and salvation. Guerin Catholic Pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square Front Row L to R: Kacey Frenzel ’19, Pam Frenzel, Lauren LaCoy, Dan Nickander, Lexi Moss ’19, Maria Frenzel ’15, Jack Haddad ’18, John Richey ’20; Back Row: Glen Ritchey, Jill Folstrom, Kim Ritchey, Anna Ritchey ’16, Leona Chianello, Brigid Carr ’19, Bonnie Nickander ’19, Brian Farrell ’17, Fr. Thomas Haan, Matthew Farrell ’18, Samantha Farrell ’19, Christine Moss. Not pictured: Scott McNamee and Lynn Neiers. GC Pilgrimage
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