by Felicity Morel
The experience of traveling to Rome for the Jubilee with the Diocese of Brooklyn to see Pope Leo XIV was unbelievable. The experience remains vivid in my mind, as I recall the distinctive energy of being in the Church’s central location.
The experience of visiting the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis left the deepest impression on me. Despite his brief lifespan, Carlo still developed a profound devotion to the Eucharist, which has made my devotion to the Eucharist grow stronger.
Attending Carlo’s tomb with Bishop Robert Brennan had a deep and profound influence on my experience in Italy. Bishop Brennan, while still helping priests coordinate and plan various activities, devoted a large portion of his time to meaningful conversation with the young people on the trip.
Bishop Brennan went out of his way to answer our questions carefully and sincerely. He prayed the rosary with us and walked with us through the Stations of the Cross.
Bishop Brennan’s participation made the experience that much more significant and powerful, as he was walking with us on our spiritual journey. His attendance meant so much more than physically showing up. Instead, he engaged in a manner that demonstrated his active participation in our common activities and experiences, which brought a profound sense of comfort.
And then there was the vigil at Tor Vergata University.
I’ve been to Eucharistic adoration before, but adoration with one million other young Catholics? I can’t even put it fully into words. Kneeling there, the sound of voices softly praying in dozens of languages around me, I felt the Church’s unity in a way I never had before. It was “insane” in the best sense of the word: overwhelming, beautiful, unforgettable.
The most surreal moment came when I found myself standing at the barricade, maybe 10 feet from Pope Leo XIV. I could see his face clearly, his smile, his blessing over the crowd. In that instant, all the miles traveled, all the hours in the heat, all the tired feet, it was all worth it. I want to relive it. I want to stand in that crowd again, to feel that joy and closeness to God and the Church.
This journey wasn’t just a trip, it was a deepening of my faith — a reminder of how alive and vibrant the Church is, and a gift I will treasure forever.
Felicity Morel is a parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Astoria, where she serves as an altar server and is active in the parish youth group.