Deacon Joseph Stillo of St. Mark Parish, Sea Girt, was happy and blessed to be among the thousands of permanent deacons from around the world to gather for the Jubilee of Deacons in Rome last month.
“The motto for this Jubilee is Peregrinantes in Spem – Pilgrims in Hope – and I experienced this pilgrimage as my reflective journey for spiritual renewal as well as reinforcement of my diaconate calling as I gained fresh perspective by interacting with other, perhaps more seasoned deacons,” he said.
Deacon Stillo was pleased that as a volunteer pilgrim, he was in a position to “roam more freely” and immerse himself into prayer groups, conversations, inquiry and social situations.
“I have to say that attending daily Mass, and being able to actively and consciously participate, even though it was in Italian, reinforced the catholicity of our liturgy,” he said.
One highlight Deacon Stillo noted was praying the Liturgy of the Hours with a group of deacons from Ohio, during which he met a man who was going to be one of the 22 deacons ordained during the Jubilee Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Feb. 23.
“I realized I had a personal connection to that ceremony,” he said.
Deacon Stillo explained his motivation for attending the Jubilee for Deacons. After participating in the Opening of the Jubilee Year Door by Bishop O’Connell in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, on Dec. 28.
“I truly felt an intimate and personal connection as a pilgrim joined with our diocesan community. Passing through the Holy Door reaffirmed my decision to follow and be guided by Jesus on my faith journey,” he said. Then after watching coverage of Pope Francis opening the doors to papal basilicas in Rome, Deacon Stillo said he’s always received “special spiritual inspiration” from visiting and praying at sacred sites in the Holy Land as well as shrines.
“What better place to participate in catechesis, sacred rites and liturgies than the Eternal City as well as receive the Jubilee Indulgence,” he said. “As a recently ordained deacon, I truly value the sense of community and support from my brother deacons in my cohort, and the thought of attending the Jubilee with brother deacons from all over the world was especially compelling.”
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