Preparing for the Trip

With the new dates set, it was time to get ready. I have to admit, I wasn’t exactly overflowing with excitement. I had always wanted to return to Italy after my first visit seven years ago, but this time, I was responsible for figuring everything out myself. That felt daunting at first.

I’m awful with languages, and I was terrified about how that might create a disconnect. But thankfully, my memory served me well, and I managed to get by with just enough Italian for the locals to have mercy on me—often reminding me to give up and not murder their language!

Three Goals for the Trip

1. Return to Ristorante Abruzzi

Seven years ago, I was introduced to a little restaurant that serves a specific version of Sambuca—one that I have never been able to find anywhere else in the world. That restaurant? Ristorante Abruzzi in Rome.

Beyond this wonderful after-dinner digestivo, the chef at Abruzzi also makes the most authentic Pasta Carbonara I’ve ever had. Let me tell you—if you order Carbonara in the States and hear the words peas or cream, turn around and run. That is not real Carbonara! That is an American travesty.

But here? Here, the Carbonara is perfect—just eggs, pecorino romano, guanciale, and black pepper. Paired with a glass of white wine and some crusty Italian bread, it feels like a taste of Heaven—at least for me.

2. Venerate Blessed Carlo Acutis in Assisi

My second goal was to venerate Blessed (soon-to-be Saint) Carlo Acutis, whose body lies in repose in a glass tomb in Assisi.

I am deeply moved by Carlo’s devotion to the Holy Eucharist, especially in today’s world. His love for the Real Presence of Christ drew so many others to Jesus. I find myself looking to him as a personal saint, someone who inspires me and, I hope, prays for me.

The two of us actually have a lot in common:

• Carlo was born on May 3, 1991—just one year minus a day before my own birthday.
• He was a millennial saint, and while I don’t love the term millennial (it carries some baggage), I am one.
• He had a deep love for computers, video games, and technology—and I originally went to college at Gannon University to study computer science.

As usual, God had other plans for both of us.

Carlo was called home on October 12, 2006.

I was ordained a priest on June 8, 2018.

But back to my trip to Italy. I was determined to visit Assisi and venerate Carlo’s body—and if possible, obtain a third-class relic that had touched his tomb. I was blessed to do just that this past Thursday.

3. Pilgrimage to the Holy Doors of Rome

My third and final goal was to take advantage of this Holy Year. Not so much for the indulgences, but because I wanted to make a true pilgrimage to all four Holy Doors in Rome.

These four doors, opened only during a Jubilee Year, symbolize the passage to salvation:

1. St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City) – The most famous Holy Door, opened and closed by the Pope at the start and end of the Jubilee Year.
2. St. John Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano) – The cathedral of Rome.
3. St. Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) – The largest Marian church in Rome.
4. St. Paul Outside the Walls (San Paolo Fuori le Mura) – Built over the tomb of St. Paul.

So far, I have had the privilege of visiting three of the four doors. I plan to visit the final one—St. Paul Outside the Walls—on Monday.

I seem to have either not taken a picture of the Holy Door at St. Mary Major, or lost the image. I lost a bunch of images from my trip in the past few days as I have been having issues with my phone.

A Pilgrimage of Hope

This Jubilee Year of Hope means something profound to me.

It’s no secret that people are struggling—our world is filled with suffering, uncertainty, and pain. Our parishes, cities, and countries are hurting. We need hope. I need hope.

And that hope is not found in politics, money, or human institutions. That hope is found in Jesus Christ.

I came to Rome seeking hope—not the hope that everything in life will go my way, or that I’ll somehow win the lottery (though, God, if You’re listening, we do have a lot of repairs in the parish… just saying!).

I need hope that is found in Christ.

• The hope found in joyful suffering, offered for His glory.
• The hope found in daily, simple work done for His Church.
• The hope found in the joy of others, especially the people I encounter.

Did I need a trip to Rome to rediscover this? No. But thanks be to God that He gave me this opportunity. I am grateful for every grace that comes from this journey.

And yet, the graces of this trip are only the beginning—a reminder of who I am, who God is, and what He is asking me to do.

There’s still more time left on this trip, and I look forward to what else God has in store. I’ll continue to share my journey with you—and I hope for more opportunities to do so in the future.

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Below are some extra pictures that I took that just don’t particularly fit into the post above.