More than 100 people from the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland joined Bishop Edward Malesic on a 10-day pilgrimage to Italy this month as the Jubilee Year of Hope began. Father Dan Schlegel, pastor of St. Raphael Parish in Bay Village and several deacons were among those traveling with the bishop.
The group left Cleveland on Jan. 13 and traveled home on Jan. 23.
A highlight of the trip was the opportunity to attend a general audience with Pope Francis on Jan. 22.
(See photo gallery above.)
They visited many of the major churches in Rome, Florence and Assisi, as well as other sites of interest. There was time for prayer and the bishop celebrated Mass for the group in many of the churches on the tour. They also did some sightseeing, visited the Vatican Museums and enjoyed the local cuisine.
In addition, they visited with Father Sean Ralph, rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, who just began a three-month sabbatical in Rome. And they caught up with Father Kevin Klonowski and Father Martin Dober, diocesan priests who are studying in Rome.
Among the places the group visited were the village of Santa Maria degli Angelio, where they saw the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, and Assisi, where they visited sites associated with St. Francis, including the Chiesa Nuova, built over the home of Francis’ family; the Basilica of St. Clare; the original San Damiano crucifix and the Church of St. Mary Major that contains the remains of Blessed Carlo Acutis
They attended Mass and toured the Church of Santa Croce in Florence, viewing the tombs of Michelangelo, Dante and other famous figures, as well as a walking tour of the city. They saw the Baptistry San Giovanni, visited the cathedral in Florence and the Piazza della Signoria.
Their next stops were the Abbe of Tre Fontane, the traditional site of St. Paul’s execution, they entered the Holy Door to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where St. Paul the Apostle is buried. They also attended Mass in the basilica.
The group also attended Mass and visited the Basilica of St. Peter, including entering the Holy Door, before seeing the Trevi Fountain and Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, which houses the tomb of St. Catherine of Siena. The pilgrims saw the Pantheon, Piazz Navona and enjoyed a driving tour of ancient Rome, including the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus and the Coliseum.
In addition, they entered the Holy Door and attended Mass at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, and visited the Scala Santa, the stairs Jesus was believed to climb prior to his condemnation by Pontius Pilate.
The pilgrims also entered the Holy Door at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major, the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Mother, where they attended Mass. They also toured the Church of St. Alfonso Liguori.
The group enjoyed a farewell dinner on Jan. 22 before preparing to fly home the following day.
See more from the pilgrimage on the bishop’s Facebook page and Instagram.