By Mary Stadnyk, Associate Editor
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and individuals from the Diocese who traveled to Rome to witness the closing of the Jubilee Year 2025 enjoyed many joyful and memorable experiences throughout their Jan. 1-9 visit.
But on Jan. 7, their attendance at Pope Leo XIV’s General Audience went beyond what any of them had imagined. Bishop O’Connell recalled one pilgrim’s description of the day as a “thrill of a lifetime,” but there were, in fact, many extraordinary experiences, he said.
For starters, Bishop O’Connell was delighted to be among the cardinals and bishops who were seated on the dais in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall that was positioned very close to the Pope’s chair and from where the Holy Father gave his address. At the conclusion of the Pope’s talk, the prelates were able to individually greet him.
Bishop O’Connell had been able to arrange for reserved seating in the hall where members of the Trenton group had the chance to personally meet the Holy Father. The Bishop reported that the Diocese’s pilgrims had a “very joyful exchange” with Pope Leo.
“He shook hands and spoke with every one of our group gathered there,” Bishop O’Connell said.
Among those from the Trenton Diocese who shared this experience with Pope Leo was young Tom Wieczerzak, a third grader in St. James School, Red Bank, who was in Rome with his family. Although they were not part of the diocesan pilgrimage, the Wieczerzaks, including Tom’s father, Deacon Thomas and mother, Diana, caught up with Bishop O’Connell and participated in the general audience.
Bishop O’Connell related that the Holy Father handed the youngster a white zucchetto (skull cap), similar to what the Pope wears, and said, “You may wear this one day, but you must become a priest first.”
In the days prior to Jan. 7, the Trenton pilgrims enjoyed many highlights during their visit to the Eternal City: celebrating Mass in all the major basilicas: St. Paul’s Outside the Walls; St. Mary Major; St. John Lateran, and St. Peter’s at the Vatican.
Reflecting on his observance of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord at the Vatican, where the feast is celebrated on Jan. 6, Bishop O’Connell said it was a “glorious and inspiring occasion.”
Concelebrating the Epiphany Mass with Pope Leo made the observance particularly poignant for the Bishop, along with Msgr. Thomas Gervasio, diocesan vicar general and pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, and Father Jean Felicien, the Bishop’s priest-secretary.
“Msgr. Gervasio, Father Jean and I were privileged to join the Holy Father and concelebrate Mass with him,” Bishop O’Connell said. “It was my first opportunity to be in his presence with hundreds of other priests, bishops and cardinals.” The Bishop noted that the cardinals of the world were in town for a consistory meeting with the Holy Father Jan. 7-8.
Other pilgrimage highlights for Bishop O’Connell, his brother priests and two diocesan Chancery staff included traveling to Assisi on Jan. 4 where Bishop O’Connell visited the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis, who was canonized a saint in October. On Jan. 8, they went to Castel Gandolfo, the Holy Father’s summer residence, where they enjoyed touring the residence and seeing the Holy Father’s office and bedroom.
While in Castel Gandolfo, the Bishop and priests concelebrated a Mass in the parish church of St. Thomas of Villanova.