In June, some of our seminarians joined thousands from around the world in Rome for the Jubilee of Seminarians. From ancient basilicas to encounters with the Pope, it was a pilgrimage they’ll never forget. Third year seminarian Mark Dilworth gave us an insight into their transformative trip.
What was it like stepping into Rome during the Jubilee for Seminarians - can you describe your first impressions of the city and the event?
This was my fifth time in Rome and my second time this year. When Renver, Michael and I arrived for the 08:10am English Group 1 walk through the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica, we were placed with seminarians from Allen Hall, Saint Patrick’s College Maynooth, Valladolid, and several other groups.
It was truly inspiring to see 6,000 seminarians gathered in the Basilica, united around the Pope. We were all different, but we were one. A special moment for me was meeting familiar faces from my past—including a priest from Washington D.C. I knew from Cork when he was still a layman.
We heard you saw Pope Leo XIV! What did it mean to you personally to see the Holy Father, and how did that encounter affect you spiritually or emotionally?
I had the grace to shake hands with Pope Leo after the catechesis. I’ll never forget it—it felt like meeting Peter himself. It was a deeply personal and transformative experience, one that affirmed my faith and strengthened my connection to the Church.
I’ve seen Pope Francis from a distance at World Youth Day in Krakow, in Rome, and in Dublin. But this time, being so near the Pope at St Peter’s, and later walking near him from St John Lateran to St Mary Major for the Corpus Christi procession, was unforgettable.
Having studied Ecclesiology this year, this encounter reinforced my understanding that the Pope is first and foremost the Supreme Pastor—representing Christ’s love and concern for each person.
Was there a particular moment during the Jubilee that deepened your sense of calling or affirmed your journey to the priesthood?
The theme “Pilgrims of Hope” for the 2025 Jubilee is powerful. It reminds us that hope is not just wishful thinking, but deep trust in God’s promises.
In a world full of uncertainty, the Jubilee is a call to hold onto this hope—a hope rooted in the assurance of God’s unwavering love and the eventual triumph of good. That truth deepened my resolve and sense of vocation.
How did praying and celebrating with seminarians from around the world influence your perspective on the universal Church?
Though we all spoke different languages, we sang the Marian antiphons together in Latin. That unity under Peter was very moving and showed why the Church preserves Latin in its liturgy and documents.
Some seminarians from the Eastern Churches also shared their singing, reminding me of what Pope Saint John Paul II said—the Church breathes with two lungs.
At Saint Paul Outside the Walls, we prayed the rosary together in Latin with meditations in different languages before each mystery. It was a beautiful expression of the Church’s universality: many voices, one Church.
Were there any challenges—spiritual, emotional, or practical—you encountered on the trip that helped you grow?
Yes. On the Feast of Corpus Christi, we attended Mass according to the 1955 Missal. It was my first time experiencing the traditional Latin Mass in that form.
The Church was packed. It was hot, and I had to stand the whole time. But that discomfort reminded me of the importance of offering things up to God.
The Catechism, quoting St Augustine, says: “Every action done so as to cling to God in communion of holiness… is a true sacrifice” (CCC 2099). That includes daily tasks, prayers, acts of charity—anything offered to God with the right intention.
I’m trying now to begin each day with a morning offering, uniting everything I do with Christ’s sacrifice on the altar.
What are you bringing back from Rome to share with your community here at Oscott?
The spirit of pilgrimage. Jubilee spirituality reminds us that the Christian life is a journey toward God. It involves leaving behind comfort, facing challenges, and moving forward with purpose.
The 2025 Jubilee calls all believers to be “Pilgrims of Hope,” growing in connection with God and living out their faith more fully.
The Eucharist, as the source and summit of Christian life, ties this all together. It nourishes us for the journey, gives us hope, and unites us with God and one another.
How did the experience change the way you think about being a priest in the Church of England & Wales today?
The Jubilee is an opportunity for both personal and communal renewal. It’s a reminder of the mission we share—and a call to live that mission with courage, faith, and hope.