For the first time, members of Jesuit Young Adult Ministries groups from across Britain came together for a shared pilgrimage to Rome (Roma Ignaziana), spending four days exploring the spiritual heart of the Church through prayer, friendship and the Ignatian tradition.

Young adults from London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Preston visited some of the city’s most significant Jesuit and Catholic sites, beginning at the Church of the Gesù, the mother church of the Society of Jesus, where pilgrims prayed at the tomb of St Ignatius of Loyola.

The group was welcomed to the Jesuit Curia by Fr James Hanvey SJ, Secretary for the Service of the Faith for the worldwide Society of Jesus, where they prayed in the Borgia Chapel. During the pilgrimage, participants also joined the Regina Caeli in St Peter’s Square, attended Mass with the Rome Ignatian young adult community, and visited many of Rome’s major basilicas and sacred sites, including Santa Maria Maggiore, where they prayed at the tomb of Pope Francis.

Pilgrims also spent time together exploring the city, sharing meals and reflecting in MAG+S circles and the Ignatian examen.

Daniel, from London, said:

“For me, I think getting the opportunity to see the Chiesa del Gesù, the main Ignatian headquarters church, was quite special for me.”

Patrick, also from London, reflected:

“I’ve spent more time praying than I would normally during the trip. I’m hoping to try and keep up more the practice of prayer and have some more methods for doing that, more imagery and language to do the praying, so hopefully that’s my aim.”

Ashley, from London, said the experience of making the pilgrimage in community had been especially meaningful:

“I’ve been to Rome many times but coming with a pilgrimage you really feel connected to the universality of the church and getting to experience that with other people who are on fire with their faith. It’s so beautiful and really moving.”

She added:

“I’ve learned how to deepen my prayer life, interacting with my rosary more, the saints, and being able to talk to people about my faith more. It’s really opened up these opportunities for me and I’m very happy about that.”

Roma Ignaziana is organised by the team in Edinburgh and the pilgrimage has now taken place nine times since Jesuit Young Adult Ministries began in the British Province. This year was the first occasion on which it was opened to young adults from Jesuit Young Adult Ministries groups across the Province.

For more information about Jesuit Young Adult Ministries please visit the website: Jesuit Young Adult Ministries