Bishop prepares to welcome priests to Rome for nine-day pilgrimage
January 2, 2024 at 12:11 p.m.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., along with some 20 priests and two diocesan staff, will make a pilgrimage to Rome Jan. 4-12, visiting a number of holy sites, attending Masses and witnessing the General Audience of Pope Francis.
Photo Gallery: The Diocese of Trenton in Rome
Highlights of their visit will include attending several Masses in St. Peter’s Basilica, including a Papal Mass with Pope Francis on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, Jan. 6. They will also gather for Mass in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and the Basilica of St. Mary Major, both in Rome.
The itinerary also includes a visit to Assisi where the pilgrims will visit the Basilicas of St. Mary of the Angels; St. Clare, and St. Francis, as well as the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, located in the Sanctuary of the Renunciation, a part of the Church of St. Mary Major, and the Basilicas of St. John Lateran and the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, both in Rome. On Jan. 10, the pilgrims will be in St. Peter’s Square for the General Audience with Pope Francis.
Arriving a few days ahead of the group to prepare to lead the pilgrimage, Bishop O’Connell told The Monitor: “Every few years, I offer a pilgrimage for priests in our parishes to go with me to Rome, usually after the Christmas holidays when there is a break in the busyness of their schedules. As a bishop, I have some access to activities in Rome that the priests might not otherwise be able to enjoy. For example, I was able to arrange concelebration of Mass with the Holy Father in St. Peter’s Basilica on the Feast of the Epiphany.”
The Bishop further shared, “I have been to Rome many times over the years. There is always more to see and do. I always find it inspiring to visit and leisurely walk around St. Peter’s, especially to pray at the tomb of St. Peter and so many of his successors buried there. I also enjoy visiting the other great basilicas and churches.”
He continued, “On this trip, I am especially eager to pray at the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis whom I designated as patron of young people in our Diocese, especially those in our Catholic schools and religious education programs.”
Priests of the Diocese taking part in the pilgrimage include: Father Jean Felicien; Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio; Msgr. Joseph N. Rosie; Father Oscar Sumanga; Msgr. Sam A. Sirianni and Father Pierre-Michel Alabre.
Also participating are, Father Joy Chacko; Father Christopher Colavito; Father Christopher Dayton; Father Michael Gentile; Father Jerome Guld; Father Michael Hall and Father Michael Kennedy.
Additionally the list features Father Marian Kokorzycki; Father Patrick McPartland; Father Juan Daniel Peirano; Father Jarlath Quinn; Father Stephen Sansevere; Father John Testa and Father Brian Woodrow.
Bishop O’Connell will share highlights of the pilgrimage with diocesan media throughout the trip. Stay connected with TrentonMonitor.com.
Bishop O'Connell and Father Jean Felicien, the Bishop's priest-secretary and master of ceremonies, stand by the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Basilica. The Bishop and Father Felicien arrived in Rome a few days before leading a pilgrimage for 20 priests of the Diocese and two diocesan staff. Staff photo
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Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., along with some 20 priests and two diocesan staff, will make a pilgrimage to Rome Jan. 4-12, visiting a number of holy sites, attending Masses and witnessing the General Audience of Pope Francis.
Photo Gallery: The Diocese of Trenton in Rome
Highlights of their visit will include attending several Masses in St. Peter’s Basilica, including a Papal Mass with Pope Francis on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, Jan. 6. They will also gather for Mass in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and the Basilica of St. Mary Major, both in Rome.
The itinerary also includes a visit to Assisi where the pilgrims will visit the Basilicas of St. Mary of the Angels; St. Clare, and St. Francis, as well as the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, located in the Sanctuary of the Renunciation, a part of the Church of St. Mary Major, and the Basilicas of St. John Lateran and the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, both in Rome. On Jan. 10, the pilgrims will be in St. Peter’s Square for the General Audience with Pope Francis.
Arriving a few days ahead of the group to prepare to lead the pilgrimage, Bishop O’Connell told The Monitor: “Every few years, I offer a pilgrimage for priests in our parishes to go with me to Rome, usually after the Christmas holidays when there is a break in the busyness of their schedules. As a bishop, I have some access to activities in Rome that the priests might not otherwise be able to enjoy. For example, I was able to arrange concelebration of Mass with the Holy Father in St. Peter’s Basilica on the Feast of the Epiphany.”
The Bishop further shared, “I have been to Rome many times over the years. There is always more to see and do. I always find it inspiring to visit and leisurely walk around St. Peter’s, especially to pray at the tomb of St. Peter and so many of his successors buried there. I also enjoy visiting the other great basilicas and churches.”
He continued, “On this trip, I am especially eager to pray at the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis whom I designated as patron of young people in our Diocese, especially those in our Catholic schools and religious education programs.”
Priests of the Diocese taking part in the pilgrimage include: Father Jean Felicien; Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio; Msgr. Joseph N. Rosie; Father Oscar Sumanga; Msgr. Sam A. Sirianni and Father Pierre-Michel Alabre.
Also participating are, Father Joy Chacko; Father Christopher Colavito; Father Christopher Dayton; Father Michael Gentile; Father Jerome Guld; Father Michael Hall and Father Michael Kennedy.
Additionally the list features Father Marian Kokorzycki; Father Patrick McPartland; Father Juan Daniel Peirano; Father Jarlath Quinn; Father Stephen Sansevere; Father John Testa and Father Brian Woodrow.
Bishop O’Connell will share highlights of the pilgrimage with diocesan media throughout the trip. Stay connected with TrentonMonitor.com.
Bishop O'Connell and Father Jean Felicien, the Bishop's priest-secretary and master of ceremonies, stand by the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Basilica. The Bishop and Father Felicien arrived in Rome a few days before leading a pilgrimage for 20 priests of the Diocese and two diocesan staff. Staff photo