Being a Salesian Pilgrim of Hope

By Mrs. Andrea Zimmerman, Salesian Family SDB Delegate, Salesian Cooperator

Pope Francis has designated the 2025 Holy Year as a time to renew ourselves as "Pilgrims of Hope." The Church’s Jubilee, which originates in Leviticus 25, is a remarkable year of reconciliation, pilgrimage, and coming home. The Jubilee is a pilgrimage to put Jesus Christ back at the center of our lives. He is our hope—the Hope of the Church and the whole world!

As the Vicar of the Rector Major Fr. Stefano Martoglio, SDB, stated: “It is essential to understand the Jubilee as a pilgrimage, as an invitation to get moving, to come out of self to go towards Christ. Jubilee, then, has always been synonymous with journey. If you want God, you have to move, you have to walk. Because the desire for God, the longing for God moves you to find him and, at the same time, leads you to find yourself and others.”

First Pilgrimage: Anchored in Hope: A Pilgrimage to Louisiana, USA

I began the new year by fully immersing myself in the Strenna 2025: "Anchored in Hope, Pilgrims with Young People" in word and action. As a Pilgrim of Hope, I traveled to Louisiana to co-facilitate a faculty retreat on Monday, January 6, alongside Fr. Steve Ryan, SDB, for the educators of Archbishop Shaw High School (Archbishop Shaw) and Academy of Our Lady (AOL). It was a blessing to witness these two Salesian high schools—AOL, a girls’ FMA school, and Archbishop Shaw, a boys’ SDB school—come together in faith, reflection, and action.

The Marrero faculty was engaged and prayed together during Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and the sacrament of Reconciliation. All participants learned together as they explored the academic meaning of hope through a TED Talk entitled “The Science and Power of Hope, and had an opportunity to self-reflect by taking the Adult Trait Hope Scale Assessment.” In addition, they explored what it means to be a Salesian Pilgrim of Hope. It means anchoring our hope in Jesus Christ, and striving for holiness daily. Being a pilgrim of hope also entails being beacons of hope for young people in a world of uncertainty, inspired by Don Bosco’s legacy. As members of the Salesian Family, especially for those who are faculty of a Salesian high school, we are called to accompany the youth entrusted to us through their life’s challenges, provide opportunities for spiritual growth, and walk with them on their faith journey and exhibit optimism in our daily encounters.

In addition, participants reflected on these key questions:

• How are you living as a Salesian Pilgrim of Hope at home and in the workplace?
• What will you commit to this Jubilee Year to grow in holiness and help the young people you serve do the same?

Last, the faculty from both schools collaborated together in planning and designing monthly activities focused on living out the Pilgrim of Hope mission, fostering holiness, and guiding students closer to Jesus Christ.

This retreat was a powerful reminder that hope is a journey we take together. As Salesian educators, we are called to walk alongside young people, leading them in faith, joy, and optimism.

Second Pilgrimage: Salesian Family Spirituality Days (SFSDs): A Pilgrimage to Valdocco, Turin, Italy

Upon my arrival at Valdocco in Turin, Italy, I was greeted by many diverse Salesian Family members. Throughout the four days, I was washed over with Don Bosco’s family spirit of joy, song, prayer, and, most importantly, the communion of minds and hearts united in the same mission. These moments of grace lifted and energized the spirit.

The SFSDs encompassed the following activities:

• The setting of the Days as a stage on the Jubilee pilgrimage;
• The presentation of Strenna 2025 by the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr. Stefano Martoglio, and an exchange of views with him;
• An in-depth report on the Strenna, exchange of views with the rapporteur, and sharing in language groups;
• An outing to the Cathedral in Turin, discovering the profoundly apostolic meaning of some especially significant spaces from the time of Don Bosco and the Church in Turin;
• A round table to listen to young people following the Synod last summer;
• A discussion regarding some of the missionary expeditions and the call to be missionaries on pilgrimage with young people today;
• Times for prayer, celebration, and festivity; and
• The spiritual and fraternal sharing among all the participants, which transformed these days an actual moment of grace.

I formed new Salesian Friendships from around the globe. I became enriched by the talks delivered at the SFSDs by Professor Cristiana Freni and Cardinal Cristobal Lopez.

Professor Cristiana Freni, Università Pontificia Salesiana, gave a talk on: “Hope Does Not Disappoint:” An Anthropological and Existential Interpretation (Time frame: 44:30-2:25). Professor Freni shared the difference between hope and optimism, how Don Bosco was a witness of hope, and many other topics related to hope.

Additionally, Cardinal Cristobal Lopez, Cardinal Archbishop of Rabat delivered a talk on Mission and the Salesian Family (Time frame: 11:44-1:31). Some highlights of the Cardinal’s talk were:

• “Through baptism and the other sacraments, we are all missionary disciples of Christ and His Kingdom. As the Church, we must always live at the mission's service everywhere, always.”
• “The Salesian Family is missionary and in the service of young people, which welcomes and builds the kingdom with them and among them. “
• “Salesian missionary expeditions must not numb, lull, or calm the conscience. Those who do not go elsewhere as missionaries must awaken in each awareness that we are all missionaries where we are and have the commitment to live as such.”
• “The first question that a missionary must ask himself or herself in a specific environment is: What signs of the Spirit's action do I see and discover in these people, in this society, in this ethnic group, in this culture? What seeds of the Word are already sown here and what fruits have they borne? They can announce the Good News and build the Kingdom from those discoveries, which were more abundant than we could have supposed.”

Please take this opportunity to read and/or listen to these informative and insightful talks during the rest of this Jubilee Year. Invite family and friends to join you in reading or listening to the abovementioned talks. Discuss your insights on “hope” and what you will do differently spiritually during this Jubilee Year of Hope for yourself and the young entrusted to you.

I feel deeply blessed to have experienced the Salesian Family Spirituality Days at Valdocco, where I immersed myself in the joy and spirit of Don Bosco’s prophetic mission—a mission entrusted to all of us, both religious and lay. This time of prayer, reflection, and fellowship was truly renewing and transformative, deepening my commitment to walking this faith journey alongside our Salesian Family members from around the globe.

Third Pilgrimage: Pilgrimage to the Holy Doors in Rome, Italy

My Pilgrimage of Hope in Rome was a journey of prayer and reflection as I walked through the Holy Doors of three Basilicas—St. Peter’s, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. Mary Major. In addition, I made a special pilgrimage to Scala Santa, where I deepened my spiritual experience through prayer and devotion.

I was truly blessed to walk through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica alongside my high school biology teacher, Sr. Mary Beth Lloyd, MPF, director of missions for the St. Lucia Filippini Religious Order. As we prayed for each other’s mission work, entrusted to us by God, we were moved by what became a profound moment of holiness and grace.

Each time I passed through a Holy Door, my prayers were lifted for our province, the youths and families we serve, and guidance in my role as the Salesian Family SDB Delegate. One unexpected moment of grace occurred when I could not enter St. John Lateran Basilica because I did not have the required pass. Initially disappointed, I soon realized that Jesus had another plan for me—to cross the street and enter Scala Santa, the Holy Stairs.

According to tradition, St. Helena transported these 28 marble steps from Pontius Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem to Rome in 326. These are the steps that Jesus ascended on the day of His sentencing.

As I approached the stairs, a young man kindly suggested I take the alternate staircase, believing I couldn’t kneel and pray my way up. With a fractured foot and arthritic knee, I knew this would be difficult, yet I also knew Jesus was calling me to take this journey of prayer for our Province and the young people entrusted to us.

Step by step, on my knees, I kept my eyes fixed on the Crucifix at the top—and with each prayer, the climb became easier. In that moment, Jesus placed a profound message on my heart:

“Andrea, keep your focus and eyes fixed on Me, and I will make the impossible possible.” Amen!

Throughout our journey this Jubilee Year, let’s reflect on how we’ll commit to growing closer to Jesus Christ. The Salesian Family Snippets (Snippets) editorial team would love to hear about your pilgrimage stories and the spiritual gifts you’ve received. Share your experiences with us, and we will feature them in Snippets throughout the year.

Please send your Jubilee Pilgrimage stories to Andrea Zimmerman or Julia St. Clair at:

andreazimm36@gmail.com
communications@salesians.org

We look forward to celebrating your journey of faith during this Jubilee Year!