The Pilgrims of Hope: from Russia to Italy

From 26th April to May 6th 2025, a small group of “pilgrims of hope” coming from Russia arrived in Italy.  The pilgrimage as expressed through the Jubilee got its inspiration from the witness of life of the Blessed Carlo Acutis. It was an exceptional time, full of grace but also spiritual and physical challenges. 

The pilgrimage was organized by Br. Kanizy Kąkol OFM, who carries out his pastoral activities in the Parish of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Smolensk. Few days before the beginning of our pilgrimage, the Lord called to Himself Pope Francis unexpectedly, and as the result the canonization of Carlo Acutis which was to take place on 27th April was postponed. The program of our pilgrimage too was disrupted!  

On the first day, we participated at the Holy Mass at St. Peter’s square which was presided by Cardinal Parolin. It was celebrated for the soul of the Holy Father. Entering into the spirit of suffering, mourning and prayer, it made us live in a close relationship and strong experience with the Church. 

The following day was exceptional. It was marked by the passing through the Holy Door in the Basilica of St. Peter. Together with other pilgrims, carrying the cross, singing the hymns, praying, we praised God and presented to Him our supplications: In particular we prayed for the Church in Russia, our communities, families and parishes. On the same day we visited the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where Pope Francis rests now. We paid homage to him and prayed at his tomb. 

Our spiritual journey on the following days was spent on important places of the Eucharistic miracle: Orvieto and Bolsena, the city where the solemnity of Corpus Crist originated. We visited Siena, the city of St. Catherine of Siena, San. Gimignano of Assisi, the town in Assisi which has the origins of Franciscan spirituality. Following the footsteps of St. Francis, we went to important places of his life and where Franciscan spirituality flourished. First of all, we visited the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, in the chapel of tears which is beside the Portiuncula. We had the grace of celebrating the Eucharist there. We walked towards the city and rested at St. Damiano. Later we visited the Basilica of St. Francis, where we had the possibility of praying at his tomb. In the Major Basilica, we gazed at the art of Giotto which narrates the life of the poor man of Assisi. We visited the Basilica of St. Clare, where her body is found. There we rested in prayer thanking God for her exemplary life dedicated totally to Christ.  

One of the principal moments of our pilgrimage in Assisi was that of prayer at the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the inspirer and patron of the internet who guided us in all the pilgrimage. The following visit was La Verna, the place of the stigmata of St. Francis. Our day at La Verna was marked by silence and contemplation which had its climax in the Eucharistic celebration in the chapel of brother Lawrence. On the same day we visited Cortona, the city of St. Margreth of Cortona. 

On the 3rd of May we visited the friars who are in St. Anthony Parish -Viareggio at the sea of Ligure. The meeting and sharing with the parish priest Br. Elzeario Nowak together with the food prepared for us were the moments of joy and getting to know each other. There was a moment of recreation and rest at the sea. 
In our programme we would not miss to visit Florence, the place of art, drawings and European sculpture where we had the grace of celebrating the mass in the chapel of the Holy Cross, the center of Franciscan spirituality in the city.  
On the last day, we went to Padua and prayed on the tomb of St.  Antony in Verona, we visited the Basilica of St. Mark and gazed at the beauty of the city. 

The heart of each day was the Eucharist, the source and summit of our pilgrimage. Our daily time table was marked the recitation of the Rosary, the chaplet of Divine Mercy, meditation on the Gospel of the day and religious songs. All these contributed to the wellbeing of our communion among us and helped us in difficult to persevere in the spirit of prayer and penance. 

Though the canonization of Carlo Acutis though did not take place we came back strengthened by his example witness of life as a young person. It taught us that “the Eucharist is our high way towards heaven”. 

In the Jubilee year as pilgrims of hope, we went back to our homes with hearts full of gratitude and hope. We were united spiritually with the whole Church in celebrating the newness of grace with  Pope Leo XIV and we continue carrying to the world the message of peace and hope. We are grateful to God for the graces and gifts received.  

Br. Kanizy Kąkol OFM, the Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Poland (Katowice – Panewniki). 

Br. Kanizy is the first friar coming from the Province of the Friars Minor of Katowice. He arrived at Smolensk in 1992. The new Franciscan convent and the chapel of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary were blessed by the Archbishop of Mosca Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz on 21.11.1999. The convent was canonically erected on 23.05.2007. In fact, two friars live there carrying out pastoral activities in the whole Region of  Smolensk. The website of Smolensk parish (in Russian language is): http://catholic-smolensk.com