“Everyone hopes. In the heart of every person lies hope, the desire and expectation of good, even without knowing what tomorrow will bring. The unpredictability of the future, however, gives rise to feelings that are sometimes conflicting: from trust to fear, from serenity to discouragement, from certainty to doubt. We often meet people who have lost confidence, who look to the future with skepticism and pessimism, as if nothing could offer them happiness. May the Jubilee be, for everyone, an occasion to rekindle hope. The Word of God helps us to find its reasons.” (Bull Spes non confundit, n. 1)

On Saturday, November 1, the New York community was invited to live the Jubilee of Hope through a special gesture: a pilgrimage.

Walking pilgrimages have always been important moments of growth for me, times when my questions have found greater clarity and, at times, even some answers. There have also been moments when faith became more concrete, more lived.

For this reason, when I received the proposal to take part in the pilgrimage, I welcomed it with enthusiasm. At first, it seemed I would not be able to participate because of a medical appointment, which was canceled the day before. So, with great surprise and gratitude, I was able to join.

We began our journey at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and arrived at the Cabrini Shrine, a beautiful church where Saint Frances Cabrini, the first American citizen to be proclaimed a saint, rests. I had no idea how many people would take part; when I arrived and saw so many friends, I was deeply moved. It was beautiful to see that many shared my same desire to live this gesture, each with their own questions and story.

Each of us carried in our hearts what Pope Francis has often reminded us: that pilgrimage is a paradigm of life. We were all there to ask for the grace of forgiveness and the strength to keep walking, even after a few falls.

Nicola, New York