I look forward to sharing with you my reflections on my recent pilgrimage to Italy which I took along with eighteen other people.  Initially, I want to say how impressed I was by the faith of the people who joined us at the various holy and historic places we visited.  It seemed, in most places, that they were from a variety of countries.  As we sat in St. Peter's Square waiting for the arrival of Pope Francis, we had around us pilgrims from Poland, Argentina, Guatemala, Mexico and Sri Lanka.  Although it was difficult to communicate with some of them, it was obious that we had in common, our faith in God and our Lord Jesus Christ, and a love for the Holy Father, Pope Francis.  The last time I was in this place (about four years ago), I was surrounded by priests from various parts of the world who were con-celebrating Mass with Pope Benedict at the conclusion of the "Year for Priests."  In both cases, it made clear to me that I was part of something that is worldwide and that expresses universally that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of the world and is very much alive and working in the world in the minds, hearts and lives of many believers.

As we celebrate the "Communion of Saints" on November 1, which calls to mind the saints who have gone before us to the Kingdom, I was blessed to experience the communion of Saints, who are the holy ones who live among us and around the world.  It did indeed, strengthen my own identity and mission as a pilgrim on the way to heaven.