Jubilee at Home visits three sites across the archdiocese

DETROIT — Teens from across the Archdiocese of Detroit gathered Aug. 2-3 for the Jubilee at Home: Pilgrims of Hope, a local overnight experience inspired by the World Jubilee of Young People that was happening in Rome at the same time.

The pilgrimage was for rising teens who were high school freshmen through graduating seniors, inviting youth to journey on a mini pilgrimage across three sites within the Archdiocese of Detroit, mirroring the jubilee experiences happening around the world.

The day began at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit, where participants explored the sacred space and walked among the saints with the cathedral's Journey with the Saints pilgrimage.

The journey continued with a reflective visit to the Solanus Casey Center, where teens prayed at Blessed Solanus' tomb and toured the monastery.

"We all can't afford to travel to Rome," Julie Cavanaugh, coordinator of family ministries at St. Patrick Parish in White Lake and one of the event's organizers, told Detroit Catholic. "This is our way of bringing Rome home. We wanted our young people to experience the beauty of pilgrimage, community, and the communion of saints right here in our archdiocese."

Next, the teens traveled to St. Colette Parish in Livonia for Mass, watched the Blessed Carlo Acutis documentary, played games and slept under the stars.

The pilgrimage concluded Sunday morning with prayer and a rosary.

For many, it was more than just a fun overnight.

"I'm praying today for a friend who's going through something hard," Josie Schneider, a homeschooled sophomore from St. Mary Parish in Port Huron, said. "The Solanus Casey Center brings such peace for me. It's a beautiful place to be when you need healing."

The Jubilee at Home, with its shared meals, heartfelt prayer and time to make new friends, reminded the young people that they are on a pilgrimage every day, whether in Rome or their hometown.

(Photos by Izzy Cortese | Detroit Catholic)