This summer, 72 brothers and sisters from the communities of the Neocatechumenal Way in Uganda, together with seminarians of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary of Kampala, undertook a pilgrimage to Italy in response to the Holy Father’s convocation for the Jubilee Year. From July 25 to August 6, the group traveled across the country, encountering the mercy of Christ through prayer, mission, and fraternity.
The journey began at the Monastery of Saint James of Veglia in Treviso. There, the pilgrims were welcomed by Ugandan sisters whose vocations had sprung from the local communities: Sr. Maria Bernardetta, Sr. Maria Cristina, and Sr. Maria Beatrice. Their testimonies of faith and perseverance were a living witness of God’s work in the lives of Ugandan vocations and an encouragement for all those on pilgrimage.
The path continued into the Dolomite mountains, with a visit to Canale d’Agordo, the hometown of Pope John Paul I, Albino Luciani. The museum dedicated to his life and memory offered the pilgrims a glimpse into the simplicity and courage of a pope who, even amid suffering, always spoke the truth with humility. Later, climbing to the highest peak of the Dolomites—2,800 meters above sea level—the group found a solitary wooden crucifix waiting for them. In the immensity of nature, the pilgrims encountered anew the grandeur and tenderness of God’s love.
Midway through the pilgrimage, the Ugandan group carried the announcement of the Gospel into the streets. In Bologna’s main square they proclaimed the Good News to all, and in Florence they joined thousands of young people from around the world in music, dance, and joyful witness to Christ. Along the way, they visited many important cities, including Pescara and Porto San Giorgio, before arriving in Rome, the heart of the Church.
The culmination of the pilgrimage came in the Eternal City. Together with more than two million young people, the Ugandan pilgrims gathered for the night vigil with the Holy Father, Pope Leo. His words of encouragement reminded all to be steadfast witnesses of Christ in this generation. On the following morning, the Holy Father presided over the closing Mass of the Jubilee gathering, sending the youth back into the world as missionaries of hope.
A moment of particular grace came on August 5, when the pilgrims participated in a vocational encounter with the initiators of the Neocatechumenal Way. Before the assembly, more than 2,500 young men stood up to respond to a call to the priesthood, and more than 3,500 young women offered themselves to the consecrated life. From among the Ugandan pilgrims, two young men and four young women rose to begin their vocational journey.
The pilgrimage of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary and the communities of the Neocatechumenal Way of Uganda was not only a journey across the sacred landscape of Italy but a deeper journey into the mystery of God’s love. It was an experience of joy, renewal, and mission, one that will continue to bear fruit in the Church of Uganda and in the lives of the pilgrims for years to come.
Responding to the Call of the Holy Father
As the Holy Father convoked the Church to the Jubilee Year, to encounter the mercy of Christ, we too responded with joy. From Uganda, 72 brothers and sisters of the Neocatechumenal Way set out on pilgrimage, accompanied by seminarians of Redemptoris Mater Seminary.
Our journey took place over 12 days, from July 25 to August 6, 2025, across Italy—days full of prayer, mission, and fraternal joy.
First Steps: Treviso
Our pilgrimage began at the Monastery of Saint James of Veglia in the Province of Treviso. There, we had the privilege of meeting three Ugandan sisters whose vocations sprang from our communities:
- Sr. Maria Bernardetta
- Sr. Maria Cristina
- Sr. Maria Beatrice
Hearing their testimonies and seeing how the Lord is writing the history of salvation in their lives was a profound witness to all of us.
In the Footsteps of Blessed John Paul I
From Treviso we journeyed to Conegiano, and then into the Dolomite mountains. In Canale d’Agordo, the hometown of Pope John Paul I (Albino Luciani), we visited the museum dedicated to his memory.
His humble yet steadfast witness of truth continues to mark deeply the people of his village. In 2022, Pope Francis beatified him, and our visit reminded us of the courage to live faithfully, even in trials.
Later, we climbed to the highest peak of the Dolomites, 2,800 meters high. There, in solitude and silence, a wooden crucifix awaited us. Surrounded by the immensity of nature, we encountered anew the overwhelming love of God.
Proclaiming the Gospel
On the seventh day, in the heart of Bologna, we announced the Good News in the main square, proclaiming to all the love of God.
From there, in Florence, we joined thousands of young people from all over the world. Singing, dancing, and witnessing together in the streets, we felt the joy of being Christian pilgrims united by one faith.
Journeying Through Italy
Along our pilgrimage we passed through many cities of faith and history:
- Conegiano
- Bologna
- Florence
- Pescara
- Porto San Giorgio
Finally, we arrived in Rome, the heart of the Church.
The Great Gathering in Rome
In Rome, we joined over two million young people for the vigil with the Holy Father, Pope Leo. His words encouraged us to remain steadfast witnesses of Christ in this generation.
The next morning, at the concluding Mass, the Holy Father once again strengthened us in our mission to bring Christ to the world.
Vocational Encounter
On August 5, we participated in a powerful vocational encounter with the initiators of the Neocatechumenal Way. Before our eyes, more than 2,500 young men stood up to follow Christ in the priesthood, and more than 3,500 young women offered themselves to follow Him in consecrated life.
From within our Ugandan group, two young men and four young women stood up, moved by the Spirit, to begin this vocational journey.
Conclusion
Our Jubilee pilgrimage was a time of profound grace. We walked together, prayed together, laughed together, and witnessed to the world that Christ is alive. May the seeds planted on this journey bear abundant fruit in Uganda and beyond.