Journey of faith with Phoenix's next auxiliary bishop

By Anton Tran, Our Lady of La Vang Parish 
 
This past year a number of us from the Diocese of Tucson had the honor and privilege of traveling on a devotional journey to the Eternal City and other sacred sites with Monsignor Peter Bui, a beloved priest who will be ordained an Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of Phoenix next month. Our pilgrimage began not merely as a journey across countries, but as a sacred walk of faith, unity, and hope, made even more meaningful as it took place during the Holy Year of Hope. Answering God’s call, 50 pilgrims—mostly from Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Tempe, Arizona—set out together, guided with wisdom, prayer, and pastoral care by Mgr. Peter Bui. What started as a group of devoted faithful soon became a spiritual family, bound together by prayer, laughter, and a shared desire to encounter God more deeply.
 
Our first destination was Rome, the heart of the Catholic Church. There, surrounded by centuries of faith, we prayerfully walked through all four Holy Doors. Each door marked a sacred passage—an invitation to conversion, mercy, and renewal. As pilgrims of hope, we crossed those thresholds carrying our intentions, our loved ones, and our personal struggles, trusting that God would meet us with grace. In those moments, we felt profoundly united with the universal Church and with countless pilgrims who had walked these paths before us.

From Rome, our pilgrimage continued through places made holy by saints whose lives still speak powerfully today. At the Basilica of St. Pio, we reflected on suffering united with Christ and the strength that comes from unwavering faith. His life reminded us that hope is often forged through perseverance, prayer, and complete trust in God’s will.
 
In Assisi, the gentle spirit of St. Francis surrounded us. Walking through the quiet streets and praying in the places where he lived and served, we were invited to embrace simplicity, humility, and peace. Assisi taught us that true hope is rooted not in possessions or power, but in loving God and serving others with joy.
 
A particularly moving moment of our pilgrimage was our visit to the tomb of the new saint, Carlo Acutis. Standing before the body of this young saint—so close to our own time—we were deeply touched by his witness. Carlo showed us that holiness is possible in everyday life, even in the modern world. His love for the Eucharist, his use of technology to evangelize, and his simple yet profound faith inspired especially the young and the young at heart among us. In him, we saw a powerful sign of hope for future generations and a reminder that sanctity is within reach for all.
 
Our journey led us next to Lourdes, where we encountered the tender compassion of Our Lady. At the grotto, many of us offered heartfelt prayers for healing—physical, emotional, and spiritual. The candlelight procession, with thousands of flickering lights against the night sky, filled us with peace and confidence in God’s mercy. Hope felt tangible there, carried in every prayer and every tear.
 
In Fátima, silence spoke loudly. The message of Our Lady—calling the world to prayer, repentance, and trust—resonated deeply during this Holy Year of Hope. We prayed fervently for peace in the world, for our families, and for our parish community back home in Arizona.

We were spiritually enriched by the wisdom of St. Teresa of Ávila, whose teachings invited us into deeper interior prayer and friendship with God. At the same time, St. Teresa of Lisieux reminded us through her “little way” that small, hidden acts of love are powerful and pleasing to God. Her message encouraged us to live our faith faithfully in daily life.
 
At Mont-Saint-Michel in France, rising majestically between the sea and the sky, we stood in awe. The dramatic tides surrounding the mount reflected the uncertainties of life, while the abbey standing firm reminded us that faith and hope anchor us through every change. It was a moment of wonder and reflection, lifting our eyes—and hearts—toward heaven.
 
Throughout the pilgrimage, daily Mass, rosaries, shared reflections, and joyful conversations strengthened our bond. Long bus rides became opportunities for prayer and storytelling; meals became moments of fellowship and gratitude. Under the gentle guidance of Mgr. Peter Bui, we were constantly reminded that this pilgrimage was not about the distance traveled, but about hearts transformed.

As we returned home, our bodies were tired, but our spirits were renewed. We came back enriched by grace, strengthened in faith, and filled with hope. We are deeply thankful for the blessing of traveling together during the Holy Year of Hope, for the sacred places we visited, for the saints who inspired us—especially St. Carlo Acutis—and for the unity we experienced as a parish family. This pilgrimage does not end here; it continues in how we live, love, pray, and serve, carrying out the hope we received into our homes, our parish, and the world.

While Monsignor Peter Bui readies to become an auxiliary we will hold him close in prayer, drawing upon our spiritual journey for hope and grace in our Catholic communities.