Cardinal Francis Leo is leading a diverse group of Toronto Archdiocese Catholics on a Jubilee pilgrimage to Rome. Over the course of seven days, The Catholic Register's Quinton Amundson will be with the travellers step by step, and filing regular dispatches on their spiritual journey. 

Louie Di Benedetto has made four trips to Rome in his life, and each time has featured visits to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

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In fact, during one of his journeys to the City of Seven Hills, he made several visits over two weeks to experience the enormous art collection amassed by the popes over the centuries.

A testament to the seemingly limitless treasures of the museums, Di Benedetto, a man of Italian descent, still discovered a new attraction while he and his group from the Archdiocese of Toronto Jubilee pilgrimage toured the landmark on Nov. 13. He found a coin museum, and each coin and stamp featured the likeness of the different popes throughout history.

Given there are so many tourist sites to discover in Rome, why does he gravitate so strongly to St. Peter’s Basilica, the museums and the Sistine Chapel?

“The other day we were inside St. Peter's Basilica,” said Di Benedetto. “Every time you go in, it's just jaw-dropping, the grandeur and the size. As nice as Rome is, like doing a tour of the other sites, you can't compare.

“The first came in 2016 was two weeks strictly at the Vatican. (One could ask) ‘weren't you bored? Wasn't there other stuff to do?’ And it's like, ‘I didn't get through what I wanted to get through in those full two weeks.’”

Di Benedetto, who attends St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in Toronto, discovered the listing for the archdiocesan pilgrimage via an Instagram post. He was determined to participate in the Jubilee Year, particularly since Cardinal Francis Leo would be spiritually leading this journey.

At 34, Di Benedetto is one of the youngest pilgrims. He, a real estate agent, explained why younger generations could benefit from these meditative sojourns, and it need not be the exclusive province of retirees.

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"We, especially let's say someone who lives in the city and who has a stressful job, as a lot of young people do in today's day and age, a very connected job, which I do, I needed to get away,” said Di Benedetto. “It's just been three days, and my mind is so much clearer. I’m not ready to go back yet, but when I do go back, I'll be ready to work and be focused on work from that perspective. You come back rejuvenated (and) a different person.”

The afternoon saw the pilgrims pass through the Holy Door at St. Mary Major Papal Basilica, considered the oldest and most important Marian Shrine in Western civilization. Leo, who founded the Canadian Mariological Society, was naturally in his element celebrating Mass in the ornate chapel devoted to the Mother of God.

Joyce Pace, a longtime teacher with St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Elementary School in Brampton, Ont., shared her epiphany during the liturgical service inside the basilica, particularly when Leo faced Ad orientum, toward the altar, during the blessing of the gifts

“When I saw that the cardinal doing the Mass and his back was facing (the congregation),” that brought back memories as I am from pre-Vatican II. This is close to the traditional Latin Mass. I have been contemplating for the longest time about taking Communion on the tongue.”

She had previously conducted academic research that indicated to her that so many people “don’t understand it is the Body of Christ they are taking.”

“I’ve been realizing that I need to take it on the tongue as I do not have consecrated hands,” added Pace. “I kept pushing myself to do it but chickening out every time I come to the altar.”

She followed through and received the Eucharist on the tongue from Cardinal Leo.

Pace found out about the pilgrimage from a church bulletin and immediately decided “I have to go.”

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“This is the perfect reason to be away on a pilgrimage and the cardinal himself is leading,” said Pace. “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The first three days have already proved meaningful and going forward on day four, Nov. 14., Pace and her fellow pilgrims will experience Assisi, to grow in greater connection with St. Francis and St. Carlo Acutis, as his tomb is displayed in this town in Italy’s Umbria Region