Pilgrimage to Rome: Diocese of Erie joins the Jubilee of Hope
By Allison Mosier08/11/2025
This fall, pilgrims from the Diocese of Erie will embark on an extraordinary 10-day journey through Italy in honor of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee of Hope. From October 15–25, 2025, the group will travel through some of the most sacred sites in Catholic tradition, from the shores of Sorrento to the heart of Rome, entering the Jubilee Holy Doors, celebrating Mass in revered basilicas and encountering the faith in places where saints once walked.
Serving as spiritual director will be Father Michael DeMartinis, pastor of St. Patrick Parish and faculty member at Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie. He will offer reflections, guide prayer experiences and help fellow travelers encounter God’s presence throughout the trip.
“Pilgrimage invites us to slow down, to let the Holy Spirit lead our steps,” Father DeMartinis said. “Every Mass, every holy site, every conversation along the way is an opportunity for God to renew our hearts. My hope is that each of us will return home carrying a deeper joy and a renewed commitment to live the Gospel.”
On August 7, many of the pilgrims gathered at Saint Mark Catholic Center for an Italian-themed evening of fellowship before their travels. Over plates of penne and meatballs, pilgrims had the chance to meet one another, share their excitement and learn more about the sacred journey ahead. The gathering was filled with conversation, laughter and anticipation, a reminder that a pilgrimage begins not only with a departure, but with community.
The journey itself will begin in Sorrento, where pilgrims will stroll through colorful streets and celebrate Mass at a picturesque local church. The itinerary includes Pompeii with Mass at Our Lady of Pompeii Basilica, a boat trip to the Isle of Capri and time in San Giovanni Rotondo, home of beloved St. Padre Pio. Along the way, travelers will stop in Pietrelcina, the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo, the Eucharistic miracle site in Lanciano and the Monastery of St. Benedict in Subiaco.
In Rome, pilgrims will participate in a general audience with Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square and cross the Jubilee Holy Doors of the four papal basilicas: St. Peter’s, St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran and St. Paul Outside the Walls. The pilgrimage will conclude with a private Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by time to reflect on the blessings and memories of the journey.
While not everyone will be able to travel to Italy, the faithful are invited to join spiritually. Visit the Diocese of Erie website to learn more about the Jubilee of Hope, find local pilgrimage opportunities and discover ways to participate in the Holy Year from home. Together, whether near or far, we can journey in faith, opening our hearts to the hope Christ offers the world.
View photos from the gathering here.
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