BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., ALONG WITH SOME 20 PRIESTS AND TWO DIOCESAN STAFF, will make a pilgrimage to Rome Jan. 4-12, visiting a number of holy sites, attending Masses and witnessing the General Audience of Pope Francis.
Highlights of their visit will include attending several Masses in St. Peter’s Basilica, including a Papal Mass with Pope Francis on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, Jan. 6. They will also gather for Mass in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and the Basilica of St. Mary Major, both in Rome.
The itinerary also includes a visit to Assisi where the pilgrims will visit the Basilicas of St. Mary of the Angels; St. Clare, and St. Francis, as well as the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, located in the Sanctuary of the Renunciation, a part of the Church of St. Mary Major, and the Basilicas of St. John Lateran and the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, both in Rome. On Jan. 10, the pilgrims will be in St. Peter’s Square for the General Audience with Pope Francis.
Arriving a few days ahead of the group to prepare to lead the pilgrimage, Bishop O’Connell told The Monitor: “Every few years, I offer a pilgrimage for priests in our parishes to go with me to Rome, usually after the Christmas holidays when there is a break in the busyness of their schedules. As a bishop, I have some access to activities in Rome that the priests might not otherwise be able to enjoy. For example, I was able to arrange concelebration of Mass with the Holy Father in St. Peter’s Basilica on the Feast of the Epiphany.” Read more HERE.