Following their pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee of People with Disabilities, Gail Williams, Head of Caritas St Joseph’s, reflects on the many blessings received by students and their families.
Pope Francis’ bull for the Jubilee Year opens with ‘Spes non Confundit: “Hope does not disappoint” (Rom. 5:5).’
Hope is something we all have – a concept as old as time. In just four letters, the word expresses our deepest desires for a peaceful future, even though we do not know what that future holds.
It was with this hope in my heart that I set off with a group of Caritas St Joseph’s Outreach families to visit the Holy Door in Rome. Until now, I had only led pilgrimages to Lourdes; a well-known destination and a place of acceptance for pilgrims with intellectual disabilities. Rome would be completely different, and I hoped that all would be well. We travelled on the day of Pope Francis’ funeral; a very special time to be at the heart of the Church.
We arrived at our lodgings in Frascati; the pilgrimage was officially underway. So many months of planning and here we finally were, ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’
Our first day focused on catechesis, exploring parts of the Mass beginning with the penitential rite; we talked about filling our hearts with hope and good wishes, and clearing out unwanted feelings and experiences.
We also brought with us lanterns made by students at our centre in Hendon, so that we could carry with us a little piece of everyone who could not join us in Rome.
We travelled alongside young people from Cardinal Wiseman School, who supported our families and embraced the spirit of Caritas St Joseph’s. It was inspiring to watch them push wheelchairs and share meals with our pilgrims. Friends were made and good times shared; the young people will not forget their encounter with our pilgrims, and neither will we.
Our time in Rome brought many unique and uplifting experiences, from carrying the cross to the Holy Door to giving a speech in front of 100 people – something that our students had never done before – or serving at the altar with Bishop Paul Hendricks; all milestones and memories that inspired our pilgrims to always carry hope in their hearts.
We continued to learn about the Mass over the next few days, which culminated in lighting the lanterns and tying them to the trees outside; a symbol of hope and of the light we bring to others. It was a very special moment, binding us all in community and joy.
We travelled home after a lovely Mass celebrated by our chaplain Fr David Knight, whose words enkindled hope in us for the journey home and beyond.
Our new Pope Leo XIV inspires us with his papal motto: ‘In the One we are one.’ We must not only hold hope in our own hearts, but actively bring it those on the margins of our communities. Only than can we truly be ‘one’ with God and each other.
Caritas St Joseph’s helps people with intellectual disabilities to share their gifts and participate in their communities and the life of the Church. The lifelong learning centre in Hendon offers a variety of courses to over 200 students, ranging from accredited creative arts programmes to practical skills for living independently. The team also run extensive outreach activities across the Diocese of Westminster.
Why not support Caritas St Joseph’s by donating or volunteering?
