In autumn 2017, 181 people from 11 dioceses from across Ireland took part in our special pilgrimage to Rome to celebrate 10 years of the Pope John Paul II Award. From Sunday, 29 October to Friday, 3 November 2017 the group took part in daily Mass, activities, talks, liturgical celebrations and tours while experiencing the wonderful city and culture of Rome.
Pilgrimage events while in Rome
The full pilgrimage took place over 6 days. Participating dioceses were organised into 4 groups, each arriving and departing at different times over the 6 days.
Participating Dioceses
People of all ages from 11 Dioceses across Ireland gathered on pilgrimage in Rome with a few extra from the dioceses of Achonry and Down & Connor.
Group 1: Diocese of Derry
Group 2: Dioceses of Clogher, Derry, Elphin, Ferns, Waterford & Lismore
Group 3: Dioceses of Cloyne, Derry, Kildare & Leighlin, Tuam
Group 4: Dioceses of Ardagh & Clonmacnois, Armagh, Dromore
Mass at Santa Maria degli Angeli
Date: Sunday, 29 October 2017
Time: 4:30pm
Dioceses participating: Group 1
Celebrant: Bishop Donal McKeown
Concelebrant: Fr Paul Farren
Seven Churches of Rome – Pope John Paul II Award Walking Pilgrimage
Date: Monday, 30 October 2017
Time: 8:30am
Dioceses participating: Groups 1 & 2
Walk leader: Bishop Donal McKeown
View the full story: Seven Churches of Rome – JP2 Award Walking Pilgrimage
Tour of the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
Date: Monday, 30 October 2017
Time: 10:45am
Dioceses participating: Groups 1 & 2
Penitential Service and Mass at Basilica San Bartolomeo all’Isola
Date: Monday, 30 October 2017
Time: 3:00pm
Dioceses participating: Groups 1 & 2
All pilgrims participated in an afternoon Penitential Service at the Basilica of San Bartolomeo on the Tiber island of San Bartolomeo. The service was lead by Bishop Donal and Fr Paul Farren. Many JP2 participants carried out various roles during the service including readings, prayers, singing and music. The service gave pilgrims time to reflect on their pilgrimage and the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Confession.
As pilgrims left the Basilica of San Bartolomeo that evening at dusk, nature treated us to a remarkable display of a starling murmuration.
Mass at Santa Maria degli Angeli
Date: Monday, 30 October 2017
Time: 5:00pm
Dioceses participating: Group 3
Celebrant: Bishop Donal McKeown
Mass at Pontifical Irish College
Date: Tuesday, 31 October 2017
Time: 10:00am
Dioceses participating: Groups 1, 2, 3 & 4
Celebrant: Bishop Donal McKeown
Concelebrants: Monsignor Ciaran O’Carroll , Fr Paul Farren, Fr Michael Toomey, Fr Liam Murray, Fr Brian Fitzpatrick, Fr Stephen Farragher, Fr Billy Caulfield.
Conference at Pontifical University Urbaniana, Auditorium John Paul II
Date: Tuesday, 31 October 2017
Time: 2:30pm
Dioceses participating: Groups 1, 2, 3 & 4
Theme: Pope John Paul II Award – Building the Church
Chair: Bishop Donal McKeown
Guest speakers: Baroness Nuala O’Loan
Monsignor Geno R Sylva, Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization
Fr Krzysztof Wieliczko, JP2 Foundation
Volunteering with Comunità di Sant’Egidio night soup kitchen service
Date: Tuesday, 31 October 2017
Time: 8:30pm
View the full story: Seven Churches of Rome – JP2 Award Walking Pilgrimage
Mass at Altar of St Peter, St Peter’s Basilica
Date: Wednesday, 1 November 2017
Time: 7:30pm
Dioceses participating: Groups 1, 2, 3 & 4
Celebrant: Bishop Donal McKeown
Concelebrants: Monsignor Ciaran O’Carroll , Fr Krzysztof Wieliczko, Fr Paul Farren, Fr Michael Toomey, Fr Brian Fitzpatrick, Fr Billy Caulfield.
Service at Tomb of Pope St John Paul II
Date: Wednesday, 1 November 2017
Time: 8:30pm
Dioceses participating: Groups 1, 2, 3 & 4
Celebrant: Bishop Donal McKeown
After Mass at the Altar of St Peter’s, the pilgrimage group were given special permission by Bishop Lanzani, Fabbrica di San Pietro, to visit the Tomb of Saint John Paul II for private prayer. Lead by Bishop Donal, pilgrims had the opportunity to pray at the tomb and reflect on the contribution they make to their parishes and communities through the Pope John Paul II Award.
The Angelus with Pope Francis
Date: Wednesday, 1 November 2017
Time: 12:00noon
Dioceses participating: Groups 1, 2, 3 & 4
Special significance to the pilgrimage is at 12:15 in the video of Pope Francis.
Evening prayer at Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls
Date: Wednesday, 1 November 2017
Time: 3:45pm
Dioceses participating: Groups 1, 2, 3 & 4
On the evening of 1 November 2017 the group assembled at the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls where they joined Cardinal James Harvey, Archpriest of St Paul Outside the Walls and Fr Edmund Power, former Abbot of the Basilica for evening prayer. In 2010, Fr Power was the guest speaker at the Diocese of Derry Award ceremony.
Seven Churches of Rome – Pope John Paul II Award Walking Pilgrimage
View the full story: Seven Churches of Rome – JP2 Award Walking Pilgrimage
Date: Thurday, 2 November 2017
Time: 8:00am
Dioceses participating: Groups 3 & 4
Walk leader: Bishop Donal McKeown
Mass at Santa Maria degli Angeli
Date: Thursday, 2 November 2017
Time: 9:00am
Dioceses participating: Group 2
Celebrant: Fr Michael Toomey
Tour of the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
Date: Thursday, 2 November 2017
Time: 10:45am
Dioceses participating: Group 3
Penitential Service and Mass at Basilica San Bartolomeo all’Isola
Date: Thursday, 2 November 2017
Time: 3:00pm
Dioceses participating: Groups 3 & 4
Celebrant: Fr Liam Murray
The Irish Ambassador to the Holy See, Emma Madigan met the young people on pilgrimage at the Basilica San Bartolomeo all’Isola and was treated to an impromptu recital of Hail Glorious St Patrick. The Embassy had assisted in sourcing a harp for use by the group while in Rome after a call out on social media for assistance. Ambassador Madigan heard from those present about the work and activities they carry out in their parishes and was treated to an impromptu performance of ‘Hail Glorious Saint Patrick’ accompanied by said harp!
Mass at Santa Maria degli Angeli
Date: Friday, 3 November 2017
Time: 9:00am
Dioceses participating: Group 4
Celebrant: Fr Liam Murray
And lastly, the inbetween stuff!
