Pilgrimaging With The Bridegroom

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There are journeys we take for rest, journeys we take for discovery, and then there are pilgrimages—the sacred journeys we undertake to be found. In the heart of Italy, nestled in the rich soil of Church history and sanctity, I was recently blessed to experience such a journey.  I have just returned from a pilgrimage with the Bridegroom to Rome and Assisi.  These beautiful cities beckon the soul to deeper prayer, repentance, and renewal. Walking these ancient roads is not merely travel—it is an encounter… and I encountered the Bridegroom in a profound and beautiful way.

My first stop: Rome.  Rome is not simply a city; it is a living Gospel. Every cobblestone whispers the footsteps of saints, every basilica rises like a beacon of faith. Here, prayer expands beyond words—becoming vision, touch, and awe.  Rome is a city of prayer amid the stones of the Apostles.  I have visited Rome before, however this time, it was truly a pilgrimage where I encountered Rome as much more than just a city.  My traveling companion and I were swept up into the Jubilee Year of Hope and all of Rome was abuzz with excitement, activity, crowds, and opportunities for an encounter with Christ.

Meandering in and out of every Church I encountered, I found myself almost drawn to the silence, the beauty, and the liturgy that each place unfolded for me.  With no agenda, no time constraints, and no expectations, my heart was able to fully engulf the Bridegroom’s offering to me in each place I encountered.  One beautiful little Chapel of the Immaculate Conception opened my heart to the fullness of the Latin Mass, the incredible reverence of the liturgy, and the awe-inspiring beauty which unfolded when I allowed my heart to lead the way.  My head asked what was happening, while my heart simply drank in the eloquence of the dance that I was witnessing on the altar.  I was captivated by the beauty of the young men in cassocks and liturgical regalia and my desire for the Bridegroom was tangible.  When this encounter was completed, my traveling companion and I had spent close to four hours in this Chapel.  It seemed to me that only minutes had transpired; I was transported in love and my heart was bursting! 

A highlight of my Rome adventure was St. Peter’s Basilica. Entering this basilica is like stepping into the heart of the Church. The beauty alone is breathtaking.  The sheer size of the interior speaks to the importance of this Church to my faith.  Gazing upon the Pieta left me teary eyed as I prayed in thanksgiving to my Bridegroom for His sacrifice for me and I stood in awe of beautiful Mary and her sorrowful heart.  Participating in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass inside the Basilica at the altar of St. Joseph was almost surreal.  Each prayer that I was honored to bring with me was left at the many beautiful places of quiet I found along the way:  to St. Helena, my patron saint, to St. Andrew, at the tomb of St. John Paul and St. Peter himself. Before the tomb of St. Peter, the fisherman called to become the rock, pilgrims such as myself and my companion, knelt in silent surrender. So many moments of handing over—my doubts, my weaknesses, my worries, my heart.

The blessings continued as I traveled outside of the Vatican to many, many churches.  So many spectacles of workmanship, wonder, and awe.  I prayed at the Tomb of Pope Francis and thanked him for his sacrifice to our Church and to the faith.  I encountered more beauty, more breath-taking opportunities to see my faith right in front of me.  Every language and tongue was being spoken and I felt as if I was being shown an image of heaven… every person united in the love of Christ.  The blessings continued as I traveled onward to climb the steps known as Scala Sancta… the stairs of Christ.  I, along with other pilgrims, scaled the wooden steps which cover the original steps climbed by Jesus on His way to Calvary.  These steps are scaled on the knees and it is a painful experience which brought me to a union with Christ that I had not expected.  My pain was united with His as I took each step in my climb and offered it for someone for whom I had promised to pray.  My sufferings seemed insignificant when united with His.  I could see the end of my short climb, all the while praying that Christ would use this small sacrifice to grace those in need.

Other beautiful encounters with Christ ensued.  Every Church I entered (and I entered so many that I lost count!) had something incredible which left me breathless.  There were the chance encounters with other pilgrims, there were smiles given and received from strangers who seemed to understand my journey, there was confirmation of the Presence of The Bridegroom, the opportunities to venerate relics or learn about new saints… all this, such incredible blessings, and I had yet to leave the city of Rome!

Leaving the bustling sounds and sites of Rome, my traveling companion and I headed next to the small, lovely, quiet and simplicity of Assisi.  This city is one that I would not think twice about if given the opportunity to live there.  Assisi is silence, simplicity, medieval, and oh so lovely. 

If Rome is proclamation, Assisi is whisper. Cradled in the Umbrian hills, Assisi is a sanctuary of silence where St. Francis and St. Clare still walk with invisible steps. Here, faith becomes simple—and simplicity becomes radical.

In the Basilica of San Francesco, beneath frescoes that narrate the life of St. Francis, the “poverello,” pilgrims pray for holy poverty of heart—a freedom from excess, a return to the essentials of love. By Francis’ tomb, many leave written petitions, trusting a saint who lived nothing but trust.  I too left a folded up note containing the petitions of so many as well as the desires of my own heart to enjoy Francis’ simplicity and carefree life of trust.  Praying in front of the Tabernacle at St. Francis’ tomb was as if I had been drawn magnetically to Him.  I had a difficult time tearing myself away from the quiet solitude of He and I enjoying such an intimate moment, even though there were hundreds of people in the same space.  I felt an intimacy with Christ through the presence of St. Francis that will be with me forever. 

Assisi teaches me that holiness is not loud; it is hidden, like a seed. Prayer here is like breathing— gentle, constant, born of love.  At the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis, I found a respite from the outside world.  The grace I received at being able to venerate Carlo’s body for an extended period of time, all alone with him, was such a gift of love that I know Mary arranged for me.  She is always taking care of the beautiful details and I was blessed to offer a Rosary at Carlo’s tomb, with my companion, for the desires of our hearts.  

As I continue to unpack such a grace-filled pilgrimage, my synopsis is this:  as a pilgrim, the Bridegroom asks a pilgrim not simply to look, but to listen. To pray not only with lips, but with presence. Every Mass, every chapel, every relic becomes an invitation: Will I allow Christ to build His Church within me? Do I accept the opportunities presented before me to a deeper conversion? Can I allow my Bridegroom to use me for His greater purpose?  Do I trust in His goodness and love for me enough to give up control and follow His lead?

My answer was YES to go on pilgrimage; my answer was YES to being open to what He had in store for me; my answer was YES to the immense graces that have been poured out into my heart; and my answer will always be YES to the Presence of The One Whom My Heart Loves.  Thank you, my Jesus, my precious Bridegroom, for Your great love for me.  I am a pilgrim on a journey to my ultimate home… in the Heart of Christ for all eternity.

Nicky Verna, Copyright 2025