The pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee of Adolescents was, from the very beginning, a source of great joy and gratitude for me. Not everyone is fortunate enough to take part in such an event, which only takes place once every twenty-five years. It was an overwhelmingly positive experience.
During the pilgrimage, I had the chance to meet several young people who attend the SDC, and I was able to form friendships with some of them. This taught me that faith is lived more deeply and becomes stronger when lived within a community.
The Jubilee of Adolescents, which was the highlight of the pilgrimage, proved to be a profoundly moving spiritual experience. Witnessing thousands of young people from all over the world come together for a common purpose made me feel truly part of something greater. One particularly memorable moment was walking through the Jubilee Door and visiting St Peter’s Basilica. That experience left a lasting impression on me. I was able to engage more fully in prayer and appreciate the moments of reflection we shared.
We also visited Assisi and saw the tomb of Carlo Acutis, who will be declared saint in the coming weeks. I have read a great deal about him and hold him in high regard, especially for the faith he managed to maintain despite his suffering. We visited the church housing the tomb of St Francis of Assisi and attended Mass in the basilica dedicated to St Clare.
Looking back, I can certainly say this was a truly unique experience. I am deeply thankful to the Lord for this time of grace, shared with so many Maltese adolescents and others from around the world.
Lord God, we ask you to bless all adolescents and grant them the grace to live out their faith with courage, following the example of Carlo Acutis, and to be a living witness to their friends.
Luigi Borg
SDC Lija-Balzan
