Youth in Germany recites supplicatory prayers during Holy Year's Mass ceremony
Pilgrims from Paderborn Share Inspiring Rome Journey
A group of young pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Paderborn, hailing from various cities across the region, recently returned from a week-long pilgrimage to Rome. Among the group was Christian Schrichten, who had a memorable experience at the ambo with Pope Leo XIV.
Christian stood at the ambo on Sunday morning, presenting petitions to the Pope. His peers from the Archdiocese filmed the screen where he appeared, a testament to the close bond formed among the group during their pilgrimage. Christian admitted to feeling extremely nervous before his turn but was electrified afterward as his voice was transmitted through speakers to a million people.
The pilgrimage, which included the passage through the Holy Door and celebrations with Christians from 146 nations, was a spiritual journey for all involved. Tobias Hasselmeyer, the diocese youth pastor, praised the unity and spiritual journey of the Rome pilgrimage. He found the deep atmosphere, harmonious singing, and shared silence among the pilgrims to be significant aspects of the experience.
Hasselmeyer also described the Jubilee Mass as a sea of praying and singing people with colorful national flags. He highlighted the event as impressive and uplifting, bringing together and moving a million young people from around the world.
The pilgrims also joined a million young people at the Tor Vergata field on Saturday. They prayed with Pope Leo XIV, camped under the open sky, and celebrated Mass the next morning.
The Archdiocese of Paderborn pilgrims confessed, as stated in the Archdiocese's press release on Monday, that they had formed a close bond with pilgrims worldwide during their pilgrimage. Christian Schrichten did not mention a specific event as his highlight of the Rome pilgrimage, but rather the group itself.
As Hasselmeyer reflected on the experience, he emphasised the spiritual path walked together by the pilgrims as particularly impressive and uplifting.
The pilgrims returned home with renewed faith and a deeper sense of unity with their fellow Christians around the world. If you'd like to stay updated on similar events and journeys, consider subscribing to our newsletter.
The pilgrims, having formed a close bond with pilgrims worldwide, found that their Rome journey afforded them not only spiritual growth but also a unique, global lifestyle association. Christian Schrichten, who admired the diverse travelers from 146 nations during their pilgrimage, expressed that the group was the highlight of his Rome travel experience.
