A tourist needs a map. A pilgrim finds direction

Each pilgrimage has marked a turning point in my vocation. This Jubilee in Rome, my first as a priest, was no different, says Fr Barry White

From July 28 to August 3, I joined thousands of young pilgrims in Rome for the Jubilee of Youth—a festival of faith, fun and friendship. From the vibrant opening Mass in St Peter’s Square and the presence of Pope Leo XIV, to a penitential day of Confession, and the great pilgrimage walk ending in an all-night vigil on the Saturday night and Sunday Mass, the days were marked by heat, long treks, little sleep, yet great joy.

Young pilgrims were resilient as they slept on school floors with early mornings and late nights recalling a ‘Lough Derg experience’; the long walks to churches and through Holy Doors echoed the Camino in Spain; and the rhythm of the week mirrored the Easter Triduum. Prayerfulness was mingled with the festival spirit of a World Cup—flags waving and chants resounding on the Roman streets. Amid Rome’s bustle, young pilgrims stepped into basilicas of the apostles and saints, touching the foundations of our faith. Ancient Rome and today’s youth seemed in dialogue, history and culture encountering living Christian witness.

I remembered a World Youth Day phrase: “A tourist needs a map, but a pilgrim finds direction”. In this Jubilee of Hope, Rome—often seen as a city of commerce and politics like any other—became an icon of the Church, alive with youth bearing joy, peace, and hope. Gathered with lay leaders, priests, and bishops around their shepherd, Pope Leo, the pilgrims showed a diverse and global Church visibly united. Most moving was the vigil, when lights spread across the dark field—a silent witness that this generation longs to be the light of Christ in the world.

Parable

On the first day of the pilgrimage, the parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31–35) was proclaimed and seemed providential: just as a tiny seed can grow into a great tree, so too do young pilgrims carry immense potential for faith and renewal. With the experience of World Youth Days and now the Jubilee in Rome, I’ve recognised four kinds of pilgrims, echoing Jesus’ Parable of the Sower:

“Some seeds fell on the edge of the path and the birds came and ate them up” (Matthew 13:4): those who enjoy the atmosphere and friendships yet return home unchanged.

“Others fell on patches of rock… not having roots, they withered away” (Matthew 13:5): those full of joy and enthusiasm, but without deep roots, their fervour quickly fades.

“Others fell among thorns… and the thorns choked them” (Matthew 13:6): those who return with zeal, yet the pressures of life soon choke their faith.

“Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop” (Matthew 13:7): those whose faith is deepened—strengthened through prayer, Eucharistic adoration and new faith-filled friendships. For many, such gatherings kindle a vocation—whether to priesthood, religious life, or to marriage.

The way in which this ‘wasteful’ sower throws the seed is an image of the way God loves us”

However small the seed, it is God who gives the growth.

I was reminded of the words of Pope Leo XIV in his first audience on May 21, 2025, when he spoke on the Parable of the Sower:
“The way in which this ‘wasteful’ sower throws the seed is an image of the way God loves us… God throws the seed of his Word on all kinds of soil, that is, in any situation of ours. At times we are superficial and distracted, at times we let ourselves get carried away by enthusiasm, sometimes we are burdened by life’s worries, but there are also times when we are willing and welcoming. God is confident and hopes that sooner or later the seed will blossom”.

Those words came alive as I looked upon thousands of pilgrims in Rome—some carrying prayers for loved ones, others arriving almost by surprise, who were invited to come by friends and peers, many seeking renewal or finding themselves challenged by the intensity of the days. Many were moved by silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, the witness of their peers, and the joy of the Church gathered around the Holy Father.

The Jubilee opened on July 29 with Mass in St. Peter’s Square, presided by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, with Pope Leo XIV making a surprise appearance afterwards. In the days that followed, national groups gathered for catechesis: Bishop Robert Barron challenged the Irish pilgrims gathered at Instituto Santa Maria, near the Pontifical Irish College, to embrace the adventure of authentic faith, to seek the “always more” (semper maior) of the Gospel, to reject false idols, and to climb toward the summit of holiness.

Trust

Sr Mary Grace spoke on hope as trust over cynicism, calling Jubilee Week a “half-time huddle” of strength and friendship and to experience faith as a “team sport”. Bishop Fintan Gavin of Cork and Ross led a Holy Hour on the Transfiguration, reminding us to carry the mountaintop experience of Rome home to our parishes through communion with Jesus, community and charity. Later that evening, at the Pontifical Irish College there was an Irish gathering with a concert by Sarah Kroger. On Friday, Bishop Alan McGuckian prepared us for reconciliation and confession, centring on the heart of the Cross.

Saturday brought the pilgrimage walk to Tor Vergata (13 km) for the vigil with Pope Leo XIV. Beneath the stars, thousands slept in their sleeping bags or stayed awake playing music into the early hours. On Sunday, Pope Leo celebrated Sunday Mass, a radiant finale to a week of prayer, penance, and joy.

Each World Youth Day has marked a new chapter in my faith. In Sydney (2008), as a teenager I discovered the joy of not being alone in my faith; that experience began my preparation for seminary. In Madrid (2011), as a seminarian, I felt a renewal in my call to priesthood. In Kraków (2016), as a teacher, I was again swept up in the pilgrimage spirit. Now in Rome (2025), I enjoyed the Jubilee of Youth, my first as a priest. Looking ahead to Seoul, South Korea in 2027 promises another chapter—an encounter with the Church in Asia, shaped so deeply by Irish missionaries, particularly the Columban Fathers at Dalgan Park, Co. Meath.

This Jubilee reminded me: a tourist needs a map, but a pilgrim finds direction. During these pilgrimages, God’s word is spoken in many ways through prayer, liturgies, Confession and Mass, through music, and even through conversations with peers over a cappuccino or pizza.  The seed of God’s word is scattered and received by particular people, at a particular time in their lives – bringing meaning, clarity, renewal and joy. The challenge now for those young pilgrims is to bear lasting fruit in their colleges, workplaces and communities – not letting it fade, but allowing themselves to be continually transformed.