A group of 36 young pilgrims are preparing for a life-changing journey to Rome, set to take place from July 24 to Aug. 8 as part of the Jubilee of Hope.
This pilgrimage, a hybrid study-abroad program offered by Newman Theological College, blends prayer, study, and cultural exploration into one formative experience. It offers an opportunity to deepen faith, connect with fellow pilgrims, and be immersed in the rich spiritual and historical tapestry of Rome.
Fr. Roger Niedzielski, the group’s chaplain, highlights that this pilgrimage is not just about travel—it’s about wholistic formation.
“What inspired me to bring this group together is that we have a lot of good things happening on the eastside of Edmonton in regards to young adults. We have C-Yeg (young adults ministry), St. Joseph Seminary, men’s and women’s houses and of course Newman College with the B.A program. When I first heard about the Jubilee 2025 and heard about the Jubilee of Youth I thought that Newman was a natural partner to team up with.”
The group is a mix of 17 students from Newman Theological College and participants from other dioceses, including Edmonton, Calgary, and Saskatoon. While the pilgrimage is a spiritual journey, Fr. Roger hopes it will also deepen the bond between these young adults, many of whom are just beginning to understand their role as ambassadors of the faith.
“To be a pilgrim is to admit the ground one is walking on is a temporary destination even if it feels like it’s been going on forever,” said Mary Dominguez, a third-year Bachelor of Arts in Catholic studies student at Newman Theological College. “The ground they currently walk is temporary even if the journey has been painful. Unfortunately there is no shortcut, no magic pill, just the pain of the cross before the Resurrection.”
Father Roger added: “My hopes are, that the pilgrims will go as Seekers of Hope and return home as Ambassadors of Hope. They follow the Lord as disciples only to be transformed into his Apostles; bringing back the message of hope to the Archdiocese and to Canada. We will be attending the Canadian gathering where about 500 Canadian young adults will be coming together to connect, pray and grow in hope, I hope that this encounter will build up the bonds of unity in our country.”
The pilgrimage will allow participants to walk through some of the holiest and most historical places in Rome. According to Teresa Jarvis, the pilgrimage travel coordinator, the group will experience a blend of profound spiritual moments and unforgettable cultural explorations.
“We will walk through the Holy Doors of the Four Major Basilicas in Rome (alongside countless other churches around the city). Visit the Vatican: St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. We will have a Papal audience, and Mass with Pope Leo XIV. We will go back in ancient history by visiting the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. We will have a private mass in the catacombs, climb the Holy Stairs on our knees. We will visit the (relics and sites) the scourging pillar, a piece of the True Cross, and relics upon more relics. We will take a day trip to Assisi to visit St. Francis’s birthplace, and the incorrupt bodies of St. Clare and Blessed Carlos Acutis. We will be participating in the Jubilee of Youth, which will also include a gathering for Canadian pilgrims. We will experience Italian cuisine with gelato, pizza, pasta, and espresso while exploring the cobble streets of Rome. And so much more!”
For Teresa, overseeing the logistics of this pilgrimage has become a true ministry. Her previous experience leading Catholic groups across Europe and the Middle East makes her uniquely suited to this responsibility.
As preparation for their pilgrimage, the pilgrims gathered for a retreat at Elk Island, a time for reflection, bonding, and spiritual growth.
“We did have a great Elk Island experience, albeit the bison on the trail did worry us for a moment,” said Fr. Roger. “It was a good time to connect before the trip. I think it was a microcosm of the macrocosm that the Rome pilgrimage will be—young adults building each other up in the faith and coming together in hope.
For many, this retreat was a pivotal moment in their journey, strengthening their resolve and deepening their anticipation. One of the pilgrims, Mary Dominguez, shared a powerful reflection that spoke to the hope and transformation that was stirring within the group as they prepared for what lay ahead.
It’s All About The Journey: A Reflection on Pilgrimage by Mary Dominguez
Our pilgrimage is just a few weeks away and there’s so many things I need to do. I haven’t thought about packing, I’m not in the right headspace, I need to lose 30 pounds, I barely believe in God right now… In other words, I’ve been feeling restless.
Just a month before our pilgrimage, our chaplain Father Roger took some of the pilgrims on a hike as a pre-pilgrimage retreat. The hike was easy, conversations were light, and when Father Roger gave his talk, I was resting my head on a friend’s shoulder.
In the talk, Father highlighted ancient Rome and the ancient world’s importance to the Church. Poems such as Homer’s ‘Iliad’ and Virgil’s ‘Aeneid’, were considered “holy books” during this time. These holy books get to the heart of the fundamental questions about human nature. He then directed our focus to Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’, a poem where Virgil guides Dante through hell, purgatory and leads him to heaven. The entire ‘Divine Comedy’ heavily references the ancient world. The ‘Divine Comedy’ is not just another poem, but a prayer that leads us to God. Father emphasized how Dante’s work unveils something beautiful about what the Church does. She does not reject what is Gentile and pagan in us, rather she baptizes it.
Aside from the daunting list of things I need to do before Rome, there are hundreds of other tasks and goals I have taken on and have only given half of my heart to. All the ways I failed and continue to fail, all the ways I lack integrity, all the ways I fail to properly prepare for things, is my old self – the parts of me begging to be baptized.
With each small step to prepare for this pilgrimage, I keep in mind the beauty and rest I long to experience in Rome. With each small and stumbling step to shed my old self, I keep in mind the beauty and rest I long to experience in the Resurrection.
We can receive consolation in the fact that this pain is temporary, but we can also hope for something more. To hope is to remain on the path of the pilgrim despite the temptation to stray away or cut corners. To hope is to baptize my old self by taking the next step and putting on my new self. To hope is to gaze towards the true eternal city. Sometimes, when we are willing, God gives us the grace to catch a glimpse of that city, our true home.
As the pilgrimage unfolds, the group will keep those at home updated with daily and weekly reflections, offering insights into their spiritual journey and the experiences that shape their faith. To follow along in real-time, viewers are encouraged to visit the pilgrimage’s official Instagram account, @seekersofhope, where daily stories, photos, videos, and updates will be shared, offering a window into the journey.
Additionally, there is an opportunity to support the pilgrims directly. An online donation link through the Newman Theological College & St Joseph Seminary Canada Helps platform is available, with all proceeds going directly to the pilgrims. To contribute, simply visit Canada Helps – Newman Theological College Pilgrimage Fund.