Tucson pilgrims attend Jubilee of Youth in Rome

By Caitlin Burm
 
A group of nine local young adults recently traveled from the Diocese of Tucson to Italy to participate in the Jubilee of Youth, which took place July 28-August 3, 2025. The Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year of Hope celebrated every 25 years, and particularly the Jubilee of Youth, one of its cornerstone events, invites young people to encounter Christ, deepen their faith, and experience the universality of the Church.
 
The Jubilee of Youth was the most-attended event throughout the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, with an estimated one million youth and young adults gathering in Rome from more than 146 countries. The weeklong Jubilee included 70 events held in different squares around Rome and culminated with a Mass presided over by Pope Leo XIV.
 
The local youth, members of the St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church Young Adults group in Tucson, had many reactions to the pilgrimage, spanning from gratitude to spiritual renewal and reward.
 
Grant Bonczek said, “This pilgrimage was extremely fulfilling! I got to experience Christ in a more personal way than I usually do. I was also able to encounter many other Catholics from around the world, which was inspiring.”

All photos courtesy of the St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church Young Adults groupGabrielle Cardenas echoed that sentiment and recalled,
 

"The vibrant history of Rome coupled with the vein of our church's youth showed all of us how deep our roots of faith are. We were immersed in both challenges and triumphs throughout the journey; however, the transformative year of Jubilee Hope allowed us to continue God's pilgrimage that was laid before us. What a delight it is to know "this is our faith, I am proud to be Catholic, and wholeheartedly I believe." Our cups are overflowing with the Holy Spirit, now it is our turn to pour back into others."

 
Husband and wife, Michael Carter and Stacy Del Valle, stated, "This Jubilee was our first pilgrimage, and we didn’t know what to expect. It was a challenging but rewarding experience, with both of us feeling physically drained yet spiritually energized by the end of it. It was comforting to know we were going through it together, growing in faith, seeking the lord, offering our pains along the way, praying for our loved ones, the world and our church. Our spiritual lives were enriched by this experience, and we were so grateful we were able to attend!"

Gretchen Erlichman, former Music Teacher at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in Tucson, and current Aspirant of the Norbertine Canonesses of the Bethlehem Priory of Saint Joseph in Tehachapi, California, said,
 

"For me, this was a beautiful final pilgrimage before entering the monastery. I was blessed with the gift of being able to see and experience the vibrancy of the Church, the Body of Christ, which fills me with an even greater desire to spend my life in prayer for the Church and the salvation of souls. I was also very moved by being able to see our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, knowing that it is the duty and privilege of all the faithful to pray for him as the Successor of Saint Peter."

Susan Avila and Samantha Leska stated, "Being united with Catholics around the world in Rome was a beautiful and challenging experience. We were overjoyed to experience this unique event that happens every 25 years. Seeing the richness in faith up close made it all the more fulfilling."


Now, as the pilgrims return to their parishes in Tucson, they carry with them a renewed commitment to live out their faith boldly. Their journey serves as a reminder to us that the Church is alive and filled with hope.