Joseph Ma: My pilgrimage, a birthday gift from God

Hi, my name is Joseph Ma. I’m 23 years old and have been involved with the Chaplaincy since its beginning, serving in various roles and witnessing our community grow. This past year, I graduated from St. Mary’s University with a BA in Psychology. This pilgrimage was a graduation gift to myself.
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Of all the beautiful places we visited, my top three stops were:

1. Lanciano
   Encountering the Eucharistic miracle here was incredible. After we arrived, we watched a presentation on the different scientific studies conducted on this miracle and learned that it is the first recorded Eucharistic miracle. This experience inspired some of us to sing a choral arrangement of Ave Verum before our Lord in adoration. Though it made us a little late, the moment renewed my love for the Eucharistic Lord and remains a highlight of the trip.
   
   
2. Norcia
   Visiting the birthplace of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica felt like a mini retreat. The Benedictine Monastery emanated peace, and the witness of the monks was both radiant and transformative. The Abbot shared how young Benedict likely learned monastic ways from hermits in these mountains, wandering them and encountering the beauty and goodness of our Lord. Standing in the place he once lived and walked was deeply moving. Hearing the Abbot speak about their trials, how the instability from earthquakes became an opportunity for radical trust in God, inspired me to deepen my own surrender to Him. Their faithful response to disaster, ministering to the townspeople and now opening a school, filled me with joy. As a side note, joining the monks for the chanting of the Divine Office was, without question, one of the most beautiful moments of the trip.
   
   
3. ​Turin
   Turin, at first glance, was one of my least favourite cities. It was covered in graffiti and sometimes seemed unsafe, but for the pilgrimage, it was unforgettable. I have a special fondness for St. John Bosco, and standing where he ministered was powerful. Yet the true pinnacle was venerating the Shroud of Turin. After Fr. Troy’s thorough explanation of its history, science, and the details of Christ’s passion pressed into it, being in its presence was both heartbreaking and inspiring. Fr. Cristino then connected the trip’s inspiration back to Turin, explaining how St. Don Bosco’s ministry followed that of St. Joseph Cottolengo, who served the sick and poor, and St. Joseph Cafasso, Don Bosco’s spiritual director and minister to prisoners before their executions. In turn, Don Bosco’s own work inspired saints like St. Dominic Savio, St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello, and many Blessed, eventually influencing a young Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati to “reach the heights” of sanctity. Thus, Turin is truly a city of saints, a witness that holiness is contagious and born from an encounter with Our Lord that transforms the soul. Such an encounter is never just for oneself; it is always a gift meant to be shared with the world.

One thing I want to carry forward from this pilgrimage is action. Throughout the journey we were constantly on the move, and action was essential to keep up and truly experience each site. As a student, my busy schedule often made it hard to engage in acts of corporal mercy, but now that I’m out of school, I want to dedicate real time to this. Every saint we encountered lived these works of mercy, and I know I need to as well.

There were countless moments of renewal: seeing Eucharistic miracles, singing beautiful music in churches built for those pieces, walking where saints had walked, and witnessing the faith and surrender of others. One day in particular stands alone. I spent my birthday in the Vatican, exploring St. Peter’s Basilica, attending Mass, receiving a birthday blessing at the altars of St. Joseph and St. Thomas the Apostle, touring the Vatican Museums, having an actual Catholic guide, and seeing the Sistine Chapel. The whole day felt like a special birthday gift from God.

That day not only renewed my heart but also deepened my identity as a beloved son of God. A lasting mark of this pilgrimage is the certainty that I have a Father who loves me so much that He would give me such a perfect day to share with those I love who were with me both physically and in spirit.

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Written by Joseph Ma for Faithfully.  Joseph joined the young adults pilgrimage to Italy (Aug 2025) with St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy.