By Josh Baehl, Parishioner of St. Joseph Parish in Vanderburgh County, Mater Dei High School Junior
When we were offered this trip about a year ago, I thought, “Cool, this will be a great way to explore the roots of St. John Bosco, St. Dominic Savio and Savio Night.” What I didn’t realize back then was how important this trip would be for all of us. I never would have imagined how much we needed this trip.
Rome was the perfect destination for our first stop on the pilgrimage. You can never truly wrap your head around how much Christian history those stones hold until they are staring you in the face. The amount of churches, most of which house the bodies of saints, that litter the streets are breathtaking. Old Roman temples turned into Catholic churches and museums and underground catacombs where early Christians had Mass for fear of being killed are all fountains of knowledge that you won’t find anywhere else. And if you are ever questioning why you are Catholic, visit the Basilica of the True Cross in Rome, because just seeing those relics from the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ erases all doubt in your mind.
In Rome, we had a very fixed schedule because there was so much to see and only three days to see it all, but when we got to Assisi, it was a whole different ballgame. Assisi is one of the most beautiful places in the entire world. It’s just a small little town on a hill overlooking a huge valley, with three major churches that house the bodies of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi, as well as Blessed Carlo Acutis. These three churches, along with a few other places of importance for Sts. Francis and Clare, only take up half a day to visit, giving us free time to just roam. If you want a place of retreat where you can just pray and talk to God, Assisi is the best place for you. And if you ever lose sight of God’s beauty in the world, just watch the sunset from Rocca Maggiore, the castle at the top of the hill overlooking Old and New Assisi. This was my favorite place that we went to on this pilgrimage.
Turin, Turin, Turin, what can be said about Turin to give it justice? Words really can’t do any of this trip justice, but I’m trying my best anyway. Turin felt like a homecoming. The oratory of St. John Bosco was a blast to the past. Getting to see the church where the first ever Savio Night was held was emotional for all of us. Getting to see John Bosco’s hometown was incredible. Visiting St. Dominic Savio’s hometown, having Mass in his home parish, and seeing his old school was surreal. And seeing his tomb was shell-shocking. There is a reason I chose St. Dominic Savio as my confirmation saint, and it’s because he was and is still everything I ever want to be. Holy. In the eyes of God and man. Holy.
This trip has done so much for me and I am eternally grateful for my brothers who went on this trip with me, for the dads, including my own, who went on this trip, and especially for Father Luke Hassler and Father Tyler Tenbarge, our John Boscos. The best place we went to was Assisi, followed closely by the oratory, but the tomb of St. Dominic Savio will forever be the top highlight of this trip, for it is there that I found one more brother, St. Dominic Savio. If you are ever questioning anything, I can say with full confidence that you will find answers if you just surrender yourself to the Lord, whether that be at Holy Adoration, Mass or in your own home.
I’d like to close with one of my favorite Bible verses, Numbers 6: 24-26: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” God Bless.