I was in Rome several weeks ago. There I felt a sense of optimism and the hope that we Catholics should always feel. I attribute this to several factors: firstly, this is a Holy Year of Hope, which Pope Francis declared this last year. Since it began many have made their way to Rome to enter the Holy Doors at the major Basilicas. Secondly, the Conclave and the election of Pope Leo XIV have added to the enthusiasm as he is bringing a youthful energy to the Papacy bringing even more people to the seat of our Faith. Holy years are always a time of renewal. They provide a unique opportunity to avail ourselves of the spiritual benefits such as the attainment of a plenary indulgence when we visit jubilee churches. These are special and exceptional gifts that the Church grants, but the full intention is for us to embrace full amendment of life, without which there is no long-term benefit. Dioceses all over the world have designated pilgrimage sites: the Blue Army Shrine is a designated place of pilgrimage in the Diocese of Metuchen. A pilgrimage to Rome however is special as it is the seat of the Church and for those able, it is a must do journey.
The Jubilee of Youth happened while we were in the Eternal City. All week young people from all over the world could be seen at the many churches. Many were inspired to venerate the relics of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, holy youths whose canonizations are imminent. Such great examples they are to those who look ahead to the fulfillment of a life of service to God. On Sunday August 3, one million youth from one hundred forty-six countries came to Tor Vergata outside of Rome for the closing Jubilee Mass. The Holy Father urged them to go forward with courage and faith saying, “You are the sign that a different world is possible: a world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are not resolved with weapons but with dialogue.” I could feel the sense of mission and purpose with which he sent them forth.
I cannot help but feel that the future is bright when I see the enthusiasm of these young people responding to the inner calling that God instills in all of us. There is a sense that they are rejecting the false comfort of the blanket of secularity which covers the lives of many. The inner calling of God, if only we allow it to grow in us, is stronger than the pull of the secular world. It is our natural attraction to gravitate towards the Creator. Our present-day culture obscures this natural vision. Perhaps we have failed by allowing secularists to define our world today. Perhaps if we had pushed back harder against this trend, we would not be fighting the tide, swimming upstream in the culture today.
Bishop Robert Barron addressed the youth during the Jubilee celebration making a comparison between Ancient Rome identifiable only by its ruins and the Church which endures despite continuous trials as it is of God and not man made. Our Christian culture will reign supreme again because everything else is doomed to fade in time. Thus, it is of the utmost importance for young people to choose the path of God. The message of Fatima directs us to live lives of holiness and bring others to that also. Prayer for the conversion of all is our mission; our goal is to bring about the world we were meant to live in.
On July 30, Dorothy and I were honored to greet the Holy Father after the general audience. We spoke of our many common acquaintances from Chicago, especially the Augustinian fathers who influenced both his life and mine. It was a special gift for us to be able speak with him. We continue to offer him our fidelity and prayers so that he can fulfill the special call that he has been given by Divine Providence. God bless Pope Leo XIV.
The Holy Father has made a special appeal to the faithful worldwide to make a special sacrifice on August 22, the feast of the Queenship of Mary
“While our world continues to be wounded by wars in the Holy Land, in Ukraine and in many other regions of the world,” he said, “I ask all the faithful to spend Aug. 22 in fasting and prayer, asking the Lord to grant us peace and justice and to dry the tears of those who suffer because of the armed conflicts underway.” “May Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede so that people would find the path of peace,” he prayed.
I ask all members of this apostolate and beyond to participate in this request. And if you will allow me one further appeal, I invite you to join us in sending a spiritual bouquet to the Holy Father on the occasion of his 70th birthday. You can participate directly in this tribute to Pope Leo by clicking the link here.
God bless you and Mary keep you in her Immaculate Heart.
David M Carollo
Executive Director
If you wish to comment, please contact me at [email protected].
David M. Carollo is the Executive Director of the World Apostolate of Fatima USA/National Blue Army Shrine. He wrote this for his Voice of Fatima column.
If you would like to comment on this post, please contact him at [email protected].
