Dasia Allen
During Spring Break in March, Merrimack College students had the amazing opportunity to travel to Italy along with faculty members and alumni on the Pellegrinnaggio en Italia (“Pilgrimage in Italy” in Italian), walking in the footsteps of the patron Saint (St.)Augustine and learning the early history of the Augustinian friars.
Students traveled to three locations: The first being Milan, with one of the major sites being the Duomo di Milano, where students toured the baptism site of St. Augustine. Then, students had the privilege of staying with Augustinian Friars in San Gimignano, a beautiful medieval city, rich in history of the Augstinian community.
But perhaps the most exciting part of the trip happened in Rome, when right outside the Vatican, students experienced a truly momentous happening: an impromptu visit with Pope Leo XIV.
The Holy Father met with warriors, reminding them to reflect on their reason for going on the pilgrimage and their journey thus far in their faith. Pope Leo XIV also encouraged students and staff to embrace the mission of spreading the gospel amidst the trying circumstances of the world, and to be a beacon of light in the darkness.
I had the honor of participating in the Pellegrinnaggio and meeting Pope Leo XIV, a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will never forget. His humble and down-to-Earth demeanor made our conversation feel as though one was speaking to an old friend. The empowering message he shared with the group about the importance of reflecting on why we decided to go on this trip resonated with me. It became clear why I was there: to strengthen my faith and grow closer to God in a way that I may have never been able to before.
