The pilgrimage of the priests of the Diocese of Trenton to Rome began on Thursday, January 2, as they gathered at Philadelphia International Airport for their plane, which was delayed three hours due to snow.

The inconvenience, however, did not dampen their spirits.  They arrived in Rome's Fiumicino Airport around 11 am Rome time and were on their way to Casa Bonus Pastor Hotel by 12:15 pm.  I was delighted to welcome them as they stepped off the bus.  I had already been in Rome for a week with my secretary Jason Parzynski and Father Erin Brown Catholic chaplain of Trenton College of New Jersey.  We had the good fortune of spending last week at Domus Sanctae Marthae, where the Holy Father Pope Francis lives.  It was the experience of a lifetime but I'll save that for a separate story.

The priests gathered for lunch at Bonus Pastor and enjoyed risotto, salad, beef, fruit, cheese and, of course, local wine.  They were famished and enjoyed the meal very much.  I welcomed them, giving them some little advice not the least of which was to stay awake as long as they could.  The group dispersed, some heading for St. Peter's while others were walking around Rome.  Father Michael Wallack, pastor of Holy Innocents in Neptune, went with me to the famous Bronze Doors at St. Peter's to pick up tickets for the Mass of the Epiphany with the Holy Father.  It was Father Wallack's first visit to Rome and it was a joy for me to be able to take him around with the special access given to bishops.

We returned to Bonus Pastor for Mass at 6:30 pm and a sumptuous welcome dinner with all our priests.  They were ready for bed by 8.

Bishop O'Connell and priests' visit to Rome includes celebrating Masses with Holy Father. Click here to read.

Click here to see photo gallery of the pilgrimage.