Forty members of the Diocese of Gary experienced a pilgrimage of a lifetime as they traveled to Italy with Bishop Robert J. McClory during the Jubilee Year of Hope Sept. 25-Oct. 3. Pilgrims enjoyed the opportunity to visit holy sites, pass through several Holy Doors and attend a Wednesday Audience in St. Peter’s Square.
Accompanying the pilgrims as a chaplain was Father Nathaniel Edquist, pastor of Holy Family Parish in LaPorte. He explained Bishop McClory had approached him two years before to ask if he’d be interested in co-leading a pilgrimage to Italy. The bishop presented the idea of having the trip center around the Holy Doors and Holy Angels, and Father Edquist gladly accepted the opportunity.
“When you pass through a door, it's meant to symbolize that you're leaving one life behind, and you're entering into a new one, like a new beginning,” he said. “Maybe you don't know what's on the other side of that door, but the Lord has your best interest in mind. And obviously, his grace prevails in the end. Passing through the Holy Door is meant to be a transition from moving from sin to grace and from darkness to light.”
Father Edquist was last in Rome during a trip to World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland. The visit was during the Jubilee of Mercy in 2016 with Bishop Donald Hying and the late Bishop Dale Melczek. The group of about 80 stopped in Assisi for just a short period of time, so Father Equist looked forward to visiting the tomb of St. Carlos Acutis in Assisi.
“Carlo was born the year after I was, and so there is a bit of a connection,” Father Edquist said. “We had certain similar interests as teenagers, and I was able to ask for his intercession, and to really develop that sense of connection while we were there.”
Father Edquist said pilgrimages are important because they create a sense of spiritual renewal. He explained there's a difference between being a tourist versus being a pilgrim. If you're a tourist, it's all about escape, but if you're a pilgrim, it's about engagement.
“If you're a tourist, it's about yourself, but as a pilgrim, you're looking outward,” he said. “It's meant to move us to be more charitable with our neighbor. It's meant to reconcile us with the Lord. It's always meant to get the arrows pointed back outward and have us focused outward rather than inward.”
Jenifer Schreiner, a member of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Merrillville, wanted to experience the true meaning of the Jubilee year and to celebrate the diocese’s feast day of the holy angels and the guardian angels with Bishop McClory.
“I longed to experience the grace of God’s mercy passing through the Holy Doors and to restore my heart with peace and joy,” she said. “It was my greatest hope to let go of the past and move forward with renewed faith.”
Schreiner’s favorite moment occurred in Assisi on the second day of the trip. She had lunch in the Ristorante Buca Di San Francesco with Father Edquist and another couple. At the end of a wonderful lunch, in a lovely location, and after sharing much conversation and laughter, the waiter brought her a box with a souvenir plate that the others at the table had surprised her with.
“The thoughtfulness of the gift really touched my heart. I will treasure that memory,” she said.
Schreiner said the experience of drawing closer to others and embracing how important it is to pray for one another and offer mercy will remain with her.
Father Jon Plavcan went on the pilgrimage, not as a chaplain, but in celebration of his 30 years of ordination and his 60 years of life on earth. He shared it has always been a desire of his to return to Rome and experience the memories he had from his last visit there.
“It was a perfect opportunity to also celebrate these milestones of my life,” Father Plavcan said.
Father Plavcan said, despite the days filled with much walking and being tired at the end of the day, he is grateful for “the peace and prayerfulness of the pilgrimage that offered many moments filled with the presence of our Lord and the saints that have gone before us.”
The pastor of St. Patrick in Chesterton and St. Ann of the Dunes in Beverly Shores said being able to be in a stress-free environment and to be able to spend time in prayer and reflection with those who were on the pilgrimage was the best aspect of the pilgrimage.
Father Plavcan had the opportunity to be a “citizen” of the Vatican State for a few hours and had a private tour of the Vatican gardens and entered the Arch of the Bells in the Vatican State. He visited the Office of the Causes of the Saints and saw the Archives of the Saints of the church. In addition, Father Plavcan was able to experience the preparation of the files for St. Carlo Acutis, but that still was not all he experienced.
“Through the gracious efforts of Bishop McClory, I was able to reconnect with ‘Father Bob’ Pope Leo during the General Audience in Rome,” he said. “A lifetime experience that will be remembered for years to come.”
Bishop McClory said it was an honor to meet Pope Leo XIV. He described the Holy Father as “very kind and gracious,” stating, “He looked me right in the eye the whole time.”
Bishop McClory said to him, “I bring prayers, greetings and love from the Diocese of Gary,” adding that the faithful love him and pray for him. The pope replied with gratitude and asked to “keep the prayers coming.”
The bishop told Pope Leo that he had recently celebrated Mass with the retired Augustinians in the diocese, to which the pope responded, “Yes, in Crown Point!”
Bishop McClory noted that the group of diocesan pilgrims who accompanied him to St. Peter’s Square for the Wednesday Audience was right next to Pope Leo as the popemobile made the drive through the crowd.
“It was a morning of great joy for all of us,” remarked the bishop. “I was moved by his invitation in the general audience to pray the Rosary, especially during the month of October.”
Clare Travis of Chesterton said there were many incredible moments throughout the pilgrimage, but seeing Pope Leo and being so close to the pontiff was the biggest highlight.
“My husband is a Catholic convert and it was beautiful to hear how much being in Rome was a ‘coming home’ trip for him,” she said.
Travis added that being with other pilgrims was another highlight she wasn’t expecting. She explained that those on the trip became family and supported and walked with each other through the experience.
“We shared graces, and it was amazing to be vulnerable and share our hearts,” she said. “I am so thankful to be a part of the Diocese of Gary. Thank you so much to Father Nate and Bishop McClory for this fantastic experience to grow deeper in my faith. It is a trip I will never forget and I pray the graces continue.”
