SEVEN CHURCHES PILGRIMAGE

Under the cloudy, calm weather and moderate breeze in Rome's springtime, the first-year seminarians, along with two formators, Don Jaime and Don Santiago, on Holy Tuesday set foot on the Traditional Seven Churches Pilgrimage, a devotion spearheaded by St. Philip Neri around the sixteenth century. The journey covered the four renowned Major Basilicas, namely: St. Paul Outside the Walls as the starting point, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Peter's Basilica as the end destination, along with three minor basilicas of St. Sebastian, Holy Cross of Jerusalem, and St. Lawrence Outside the Walls.

With around 27 kilometers undertaken, despite the physical hurdles, the journey was a profoundly spiritual one, accompanied by a firm resolve. Between visits to the basilicas, the group prayed the four mysteries of the Holy Rosary, reflecting on the life of Christ, especially His Passion, Death, and Resurrection as the Paschal Triduum draws near. Moreover, while inside the churches, they likewise prayed the prescribed prayers for the pilgrimage, which concern strength in vocation, embodiment of virtues, growth in faith, and other particular personal intentions. Such an experience indeed enabled the seminarians to engage in one of Rome's rich traditions and to behold the architectural and spiritual beauty of the visited sites.