The Vocations Staff graciously hosted a pilgrimage this past week to Rome for some of the men discerning a vocation with the Congregation of Holy Cross. We were able join with C.S.C. priests Fr. Jim Gallagher and Fr. Pete McCormick for the canonization of Brother André Bessette.
After a smooth day of international travel, we landed in Leonardo da Vinci airport early in the morning on Saturday, giving us a full day before the canonization mass. With that time we were able to get our first glimpse of Vatican City and watch as they raised Br. André’s banner along the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica. Knowing of the great festivities that awaited us, the rest of the day went by in a hurried blur of tours giving us our first impressions of Rome. The next day we joined hundreds of our fellow pilgrims from all over the world and met up with three other Old Collegians who are currently studying in Belgium. Upwards of fifty-thousand people were there for the canonization of saints Stanislaw Soltys of Poland, André Bessette of Canada, Cándida María de Jesús Cipitria y Barriola of Spain, Mary of the Cross MacKillop of Australia, Giulia Salzano of Italy and Camilla Battista da Varano of Italy.
Pope Benedict XVI came out in style in his famous pope-mobile and celebrated a beautiful mass during which he officially declared Br. André C.S.C. a saint. The erupting applause that concluded the canonization mass is matched even now back at Old College as we continue to seek St. André’s intercession and anticipate many consequential graces. We, of course, encourage all of our readers to ask for St. André’s help and to follow the advice he often gave to go to St. Joseph with their prayers.
All the best,
Kyle Smith
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