The Chicago Holy Name Cathedral Young Adult Ministry offered a Pope Leo XVI Pilgrimage on October 24, 2026. It was an experience of faith formation, prayer, community building, and spiritual reflection. Visits to locations connected with Pope Leo XIV’s early life and vocation helped participants connect the Holy Father’s story with their own faith journeys. Rosary, personal intentions, catechesis and Mass at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel supported prayerful engagement. Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Mary Ann Spanjers was invited to lead the reflections on Pope Leo at each of these Pilgrimage stops:
Insight Hospital (Birthplace): 2525 S Michigan Ave, Chicago
The group looked at how the Family is the foundation of society. Pope Leo continues the catechesis cycle on the Documents of the Second Vatican Council and reflected on the 1965 Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes (meaning “joy and hope”) on the Church in the Modern World.
St. Mary of the Assumption-childhood parish and early roots of faith: 311 E. 137th, Chicago
Pilgrims discussed what Pope Leo is teaching about the Liturgy. He is calling on the Church to strengthen the relationship between catechesis and liturgical celebration so that Christian initiation may lead people to Christ. Christian initiation cannot be understood merely as “preparation for the Sacraments. “Rather, it should be the ‘womb’ in which a community gives birth to faith and communion with the Lord.”
Pope Leo’s Childhood home in Dolton: 212 E. 141st Pl. Dolton
What are the needs of children today? Pope Leo XIV renews the Church’s call to place children at the heart of global concern, warning that despite international commitments, the situation of the world’s youngest remains deeply troubling.
Catholic Theological Union
Here focus was on his Apostolic Letter Drawing New Maps of Hope, signed on 27 October 2025 and released to mark the 60th anniversary of the Conciliar declaration Gravissimum Educationis. Pope Leo notes that the insights remain relevant in today’s fragmented and digitalized environment, continuing to inspire educational communities to build bridges and to offer civic and professional formation with creativity.
St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel and High School
The last site was the beautiful academy for boys and the Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia; During his earlier days as an Augustinian seminarian, Pope Leo would have walked these halls, substituted in its classrooms, and celebrated Mass with the school community; Here the discussion was that of discernment.
Participants left asking the deeper question: If God worked through the ordinary places, people, and experiences of Pope Leo’s life, how might God be working through yours?
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