Memories of a recent pilgrimage to Italy for the September 7 2025 canonizations of Saints Acutis and Frassati, as well as Follow My Camino walks from Assisi towards Rome.
Montage Pic: (Left to Right:) - Keith With Other JMJ Pilgrims Dinner, Keith by Pope Leo XIV, Keith With Other Follow My Camino Pilgrims.
All Saints Day - Just A Closer Walk With The Pope & New Saints!
Keith John Paul Horcasitas, October 20 2025
What a blessing it was recently during this Catholic Jubilee Holy Year to join the JMJ Youth Pilgrimage to Rome for the September 7, 2025 Sts. Acutis and Frassati canonizations, as well as the subsequent St. Francis Follow My Camino Promenades from Assisi towards Rome!
This was my second trip to Rome, so it was so special this time to visit and pray with the other JMJ pilgrims at some special 4 Holy Doors that were symbolically opened by the Pope, and allowed us pilgrims to pass through a threshold representing a spiritual rebirth and offering a plenary indulgence:
St. Peter's Bassilica
St. John Lateran
St. Mary Majoy
St. Paul Outside the Walls of Rome.
The other JMJ pilgrims were from all over the US and elsewhere, such as Grand Cayman / Jamaica and Australia, so we all had fun learning about our diverse backgrounds, cultures and accents.
It's amazing how I just happened to stumble across this JMJ Youth Pilgrimage online, after I had earlier this year originally planned on joining local Diocesan Priest, Fr. Chris Decker, on a September 2025 Holy Land that got canceled due to the unrest in that area.
So in early September, I took that long plane flight from New Orleans overseas and met up with the other neat pilgrims. After taking a quick mini-nap to recover from the jet lag and getting somewhat settled on the afternoon of my and our arrivals into Rome, we headed out to the St. John Lateran and the poignant Holy Stairs.
And on that day and many subsequent times around the “eternal city of Rome,” we enjoyed so many prayer filled and fun times together in getting to know each other and our faith walks per fellowship at many great Italian Restaurants and, of course for dessert, authentic Gelato – which we all indulged in per many other pilgrimage venues.
Horacio, Our JMJ Guide, was so cool and provided us with so much historical and spiritual info about the many church sites we visited, including the Catacombs and the Coliseum. Cristina was also another great JMJ leader who joined us in many gatherings
Also, I was so glad that I took my mini-guitar “Martin Backpacker” on these adventures, as I and others played and sang sing-a-longs and spirituals at times … and I even was inspired to write a few songs for another participant and for the Follow My Camino!
On the day before the Acutis and Frassati canonizations, we attended a General Audience with Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter's. What a thrill it was to literally see Pope Leo in his Pope Mobile so close to us, as Horacio had managed to get us some strategically front row seats behind a barricade!
And while we weren't so well positioned for the canonizations, it was so neat to witness that auspicious event and see family members of the new saints recognized at the event!
On the next day, some of the other JMJ pilgrims joined me and our Follow My Camino participants on a train to Assisi and we subsequently took walks back towards Rome to Foligno, Trevi, Poretta and Spoleto. Our Follow My Camino leader, Judy, and TJ helped us so much in navigating many things.
My phone service was terrible, so the other pilgrims helped me when I would get lost and when I couldn't seem to easily get Wi-Fi connections; thanks especially for Cecilia helping me with this!
Due to inclement weather, we actually didn't walk to Foligno but spent another great day in Assisi. I and others were so touched by learning so much more about St. Francis of Assisi per his Basilica, tomb, as well as the same for St. Clare!
It was also so special to be able to go to the tomb of St. Acutis in Assisi!
Even though I am an avid runner and in pretty good shape, I and others were challenged by the steep up and down trails – especially with trying not to fall when walking over rock debris!
As bells would ring at noon or 6 P and at 3 P, we would pray the Angelus and Divine Mercy prayers every day, as well as pray the Holy Rosary on these walks; in addition, it was very meaningful to set total quiet times for the walks so we could make the promenades spiritual exercises!
And whether in Rome, Assisi or on the walks to other towns, we all desired and were able to attend daily Mass at the many, many varied ornate or simple churches we came across.
As participants in the JMJ and/or the Follow My Camino, we developed a close bond and friendships and found ourselves freely and confidentially opening up in sharing and supporting one another in our faith and personal concerns.
Many tears of joy and sorrow were shared and times, especially when we experienced some normal disruptions in the itinerary and lodgings.
So I wholeheartedly thank God for these great pilgrimage and walking opportunities to enhance my and our faith walks in the Lord … and like the old spiritual song, to “Take A Closer Walk With Thee,” Lord, the Pope, the new saints and each other.
It's so good to see you posting again. Especially, an adventure like this. As I read it reminded me of my college days. I'm so glad that the youngsters accepted you as part of their own adventures.
While I don't understand the need for all of the ritual in the Roman Catholic Church, Rome certainly seems to be the place where most of it is carried out. And knowing that you are devout, it appears to be a once in a lifetime experience for you.
I would forgo the Vatican for what is left of the Roman culture and enjoy the modern Italian experience you briefly mentioned about a dessert I've never heard of.
It unites spiritual wisdom from the East and West to help readers experience Christ consciousness in the here and now. Combining the Oneness teachings of India with a fresh look at the New Testament.
Montage Pic: (Left to Right:) - Keith With Other JMJ Pilgrims Dinner, Keith by Pope Leo XIV, Keith With Other Follow My Camino Pilgrims.
