Walking in the Footsteps of Saints: Forming Today's Leaders

From Padua to Turin, Siena to Rome, and finally Assisi, our pilgrimage for the Jubilee of Youth was much more than a trip through Italy’s holy sites. It was a living school of leadership and discipleship, where young people were formed by walking in the footsteps of saints who continue to inspire us today.

In Turin, guided by Fr. Mike Pace SDB, a Salesian priest who once served in Montreal, we discovered the vision of St. John Bosco. With very few resources, but an abundance of creativity and faith, Don Bosco transformed the lives of countless youth by making them protagonists of their own formation. His mission was clear: to form “good Christians and honest citizens.” Visiting his room, his parish, and even the dining hall he built with and for the boys reminded us that true leadership grows when we build together. We also prayed at the tombs of St. Joseph Cafasso, St. Dominic Savio, St. Mary Mazzarello, and Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati — all young leaders of their time, connected by friendships rooted in Christ.

From there, we encountered other modern witnesses: Blessed Chiara Luce Badano, who radiated joy even in suffering, and Saint Carlo Acutis, the “millennial saint” who reminds us that holiness is possible in the digital age. Each of these saints continues to speak powerfully to young people today, calling them to courageous discipleship in a world that longs for hope.

Arriving in Rome for the Jubilee of Youth, we joined thousands of pilgrims from every continent. One unforgettable moment was the Canadian Gathering, where hundreds of pilgrims from across our country came together to celebrate our faith, forge friendships, and strengthen our missionary spirit as Canadians abroad.

We had the immense privilege of passing through the four holy doors of the basilicas of St. Peter's, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran, and St. Mary Major, where we gathered in prayer near the tomb of Pope Francis. Seeing young people leading the prayers, carrying the cross, and entering the heart of the Church with our Archbishop, Christian Lépine, at their side was a powerful testimony of communion, leadership, and living faith.

The days in Rome were filled with encounters: festivals of joy, moments of silence before the Eucharist, nights under the stars in vigil with over one million pilgrims, and the profound graces of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. At San Marcello, many prayed before the relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis, experiencing firsthand his invitation to “always be close to Jesus.”

We also give thanks for the extraordinary hospitality we received in every place we visited — from the Salesian houses in Turin to the parish of Carchitti, where the community welcomed us with warmth and generosity. These gestures of hospitality embodied the communion of saints we are called to build back home.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication and support of many. A heartfelt thank you to Spiritours, our tour operator, who coordinated the journey with professionalism and care. Thank you to the members of the Mission Jeunesse staff and service team, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly. And thank you to our communities, benefactors, and all those who supported us — financially, spiritually, and morally — for making this Jubilee of Youth a powerful experience of faith and hope.

At the conclusion of the Youth Jubilee 2025, during the Angelus prayer immediately following Holy Mass, Pope Leo XIV shared exciting news with pilgrims from around the world. He officially announced the dates for the next World Youth Day: Seoul, South Korea, from 3 to 8 August 2027. “I renew the invitation that Pope Francis extended in Lisbon two years ago. Young people from all over the world will gather together with the Successor of Peter to celebrate World Youth Day in Seoul,” he said.

This announcement marks the continuation of a journey of faith, leadership, and discipleship—an invitation to keep walking in the footsteps of the saints and to bring the joy and inspiration of the Jubilee of Youth into communities worldwide.

POPE LEO XIV - ANGELUS AUGUST 3, 2025

POPE LEO XIV - HOLY MASS ON THE YOUTH JUBILEE AUGUST 3, 2025

POPE LEO XIV - PRAYER VIGIL ON THE YOUTH JUBILEE AUGUST 2 2025

 

Isabel Correa
Director
Mission Jeunesse Montreal