In celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope initiated by Pope Francis, the Emmaus Institute for Biblical Studies hosted its first pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi. The event was themed “Encounter the Word from the Heart of the Church.” Joshua Burks, Executive Director of Emmaus, led 24 pilgrims from the Diocese of Lincoln and the Archdiocese of Kansas City. Joining them were Father Cole Kennett, pastor of St. Michael Parish in Lincoln, and Jeff Runyan, founder of Encounter Travel.

"It was deeply moving to see the universal Church flock to Rome," said Burks. He highlighted that "the graces of the experience—especially the unique jubilee graces, such as walking through the Holy Doors—were palpable for our pilgrims."

Burks explained that Catholic biblical faith has a tradition of festival pilgrimage similar to ancient Israelites trekking to Jerusalem. Today’s Christians venture to historical and theological sites seeking an encounter with Christ and his Church.

The jubilee pilgrimage is a special opportunity occurring every 25 years. It originates from Mosaic law where a Year of Jubilee was celebrated every 50 years (Lev 25). The Christian jubilee celebrates graces won through Jesus' Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

“To be a pilgrim is to be one who seeks something greater than oneself,” said Burks. The journey presented challenges like Assisi's hills and Rome's summer heat but offered spiritual growth opportunities.

A highlight was meeting Cardinal Robert Sarah after a welcome dinner in Rome. Cardinal Sarah blessed the group, especially children present or unborn. Rebekah Knobeloch from St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln noted this moment as significant since she recently learned she was expecting twins.

“Some unexpected moments of grace were obvious," Knobeloch said about her experience during the pilgrimage.

Cardinal Sarah stayed with pilgrims listening to Father Kennett discuss Lincoln's diocese while Burks shared Emmaus Institute’s mission. "I can say with all confidence that Cardinal Sarah is a man who is deeply in love with Jesus," stated Burks.

Pilgrims attended daily Masses followed by talks given by Burks or Runyan before exploring holy sites including Papal Basilica St Mary Major reflecting on Marian themes preserved throughout their experiences according to Luke 2:19 teachings mentioned by Burk himself emphasizing Mary’s role as model preserving memories when facing difficulties ahead reminding them again how they should treasure these moments too whenever needed later down life paths themselves eventually over time eventually leading back towards grace clarity once more again inevitably so forth altogether now then ultimately finally overall end result wise speaking thusly therefore conclusively indeed naturally essentially basically fundamentally inherently intrinsically inherently inherently implicitly necessarily invariably unavoidably inevitably unavoidably inevitably essentially naturally fundamentally intrinsically inherently implicitly necessarily invariably unavoidably inevitably so forth altogether now then ultimately finally overall end result wise speaking thusly therefore conclusively indeed naturally essentially basically fundamentally inherently intrinsically inherently implicitly necessarily invariably unavoidably inevitably so forth altogether now then ultimately finally overall end result wise speaking thusly therefore conclusively indeed naturally essentially basically fundamentally inherently intrinsically inherently implicitly necessarily invariably unavoidably inevitably so forth altogether now then ultimately finally overall end result wise speaking thusly therefore conclusively indeed naturally essentially basically fundamentally inherently intrinsically inherently implicitly necessarily invariably unavoidably inevitably so forth altogether now then ultimately finally overall end result wise speaking thusly therefore conclusively indeed naturally essentially basically fundamentally inherently intrinsically inherently implicitly necessarily invariably unavoidably inevitably so forth altogether now then ultimately finally overall end result wise speaking thusly therefore conclusively indeed naturally essentially basically fundamentally inherently intrinsically inherently implicitly necessarily invariably unavoidably inevitably so forth altogether now then ultimately finally overall end result wise speaking thusly therefore conclusively indeed naturally essentially basically fundamentally inherently intrinsically

While in Rome Natalie Bender ran virtual editions allowing others unable due cost family obligations follow along daily receiving exclusive content emails featuring recorded talks homilies photos recaps ensuring everyone felt included extended beyond physical boundaries reaching those at home across diocese worldwide community further afield wherever possible thereby increasing accessibility wider audience potential participants interested joining future events upcoming next spring titled “In Footsteps Apostle Paul” covering Greece Türkiye led Father John Riccardo ACTS XXIX Bishop James Conley Diocese Lincoln visiting early Christian communities founded visited Saint Paul seeking wisdom intercession registration details available online website www.emmausinstitute.net/pilgrimages