The following are reflections from Catholic school administrators from the diocese who traveled to Rome on pilgrimage in late October and early November with Bishop Earl Fernandes for the Jubilee of the World of Education.
“I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this special pilgrimage to Rome with my fellow Catholic school administrators, staff from the Office of Catholic Schools, and most especially Bishop Fernandes. This pilgrimage allowed me to step away from my daily work at school and experience firsthand a Jubilee Year in Rome during a week dedicated specifically to the World of Education. What a treat!
“While there, we heard directly from the Holy Father, Pope Leo XVI, about our vocation and mission as educators, including a call to lead our schools with a focus on the principles of interiority, unity, love and joy. We experienced the proclamation of St. John Henry Newman as Doctor of the Church and a co-Patron of the Church’s education mission.
“Seeing the Holy Father up close was quite extraordinary. We strategically positioned ourselves along the railing to be as close to the Pope as possible while he journeyed throughout St. Peter’s Square, greeting everyone and blessing babies. With joyful hearts, we joined the chorus of pilgrims chanting with affection, “Papa Leone,” as he drove past. Our hearts were full after these events.
“Little did I know that spiritually moving encounters would happen again and again. Some encounters moved me to tears, some sparked action and some instilled in me a desire to be a witness to others. Those special moments are now deeply rooted in my heart. We walked through Rome, stepping into cathedrals and basilicas tucked between ancient structures, and down side alleys, each location holding significant historical relevance, relics of saints, famous paintings or vast mosaics that would keep you enthralled for hours. The highlights were unending as our hearts continued to swell with emotion.
“We celebrated Mass together every day in some of the most beautiful places, including St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. Peter’s Basilica (twice), the Basilica of San Clemente and St. Mary Major. We passed through the Holy Doors of the four major basilicas. Bishop Fernandes preached beautiful homilies in each of these locations, touching the hearts of the pilgrims.
“We’ve been home for three days now, and it is wonderful being back in school, seeing the students and fellow staff members again. A commonly asked question is, ‘What was the highlight?’ I honestly share that the whole trip was a highlight. Yes, my feet were tired after walking over 15,000 steps a day, but that doesn’t compare to the significant highlights that happened every day.
“The fruits of this trip will continue to unfold as the days/weeks/months approach. My prayer is that we, Catholic school administrators, take the experiences we have encountered and allow those to guide our actions and future plans within our Catholic schools.” — Colleen Kent, principal, Columbus Immaculate Conception School
“The pilgrimage to Rome for the World Jubilee of Education was a tremendously precious experience. Not only was this my first trip to Rome, but it was also my first trip to Europe. I feel truly blessed to have experienced it under the leadership of Bishop Fernandes and Dr. Adam Dufault.
“To call this trip a vacation would be a mistake. It was truly a call to a closer encounter with Christ through the lens of prayer, church history and fellowship. My top moment from the pilgrimage was the first time seeing the Holy Father. At the moment of laying eyes on the Pope, unobstructed by screens or other pilgrims, I experienced only pure joy.
“With spiritual preparation led by Sister John Paul, I was able to intentionally plan my daily prayers and spend meaningful time with the Lord. Furthermore, the pilgrimage offered each of us time to connect with other administrators from around the Diocese of Columbus. As a new administrator, I greatly valued this time to observe the camaraderie of my colleagues and spend time getting to know them.
“I feel as though I am still processing everything that we encountered on our journey, but I know that I am eternally grateful for this experience.” — Courtney Kreber, assistant principal, Hilliard St. Brendan School
“This experience bore so much spiritual fruit and many opportunities to connect to the sacred traditions and rich history of our Catholic faith.” — Cecelia Pitt, principal, Mount Vernon St. Vincent de Paul School
“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of the pilgrimage to Rome with my fellow administrators. It has changed me in ways that are indescribable. To be able to return to school and share even a small part of the experience with my students has been a blessing. This is an experience I will not soon forget.” — Carey Wrigley, assistant principal, Columbus St. Mary Magdalene School
“This was a true journey for me. One that touched my mind, heart and spirit in unforgettable ways. As I walked through Vatican City, I was immersed in the living history of our shared Catholic faith. From celebrating Mass with the Holy Father, receiving confession at St. Peter’s Basilica to standing in silent prayer at the tombs of the apostles and saints, I felt deeply connected to the universal Church and honored that I could witness the centuries of those that came before me that were witness to Christ. Each site that I visited — the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums, the major basilicas, the spot St. Peter was martyred — reminded me of the beauty and hope that has helped to shape our faith throughout time. Beyond all of the sacred and beautiful sites, this pilgrimage strengthened my sense of community. I was so honored to bring prayer intentions from our students, families and staff along with me to put them before the Lord.” — Angie Eisenacher, principal, Columbus St. Christopher School
“This pilgrimage provided a connection to the past and to Christ, and what his mission was on earth has become our mission. We are His hands, His feet, His eyes, His ears, and we have to take what we’ve learned and pass that on to our teachers, who then, in turn, pass it on to our students. As a person who has always walked by faith and not sight, seeing all the amazing relics and memorials to the believers who came before, just strengthened my faith in God.” — Gina Stull, principal, Columbus St. Mary German Village School.
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