Rowan Students Reflect on Vatican’s Jubilee of Youth

Join us for a deeply inspiring episode as Kari Janisse and Mike Walsh sit down with Rowan University’s Catholic Campus Ministry executive board members—Donovan Kenny, Anthony LaPiana, and Peter Romeo—fresh from their pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee of Youth. These engineering seniors not only witnessed the global heartbeat of youth faith in action but brought their own stories of transformation, hope, and holiness.

Donovan shares his awe at the unity of young people from across the globe—some traveling 20 hours by bus just to kneel together before the Blessed Sacrament—and how that experience “lit a new fire” in him to be “a beacon of hope” for others. Anthony reflects on how witnessing diverse expressions of joy—songs, dances, cheers—while waiting in lines reminded him that “our hearts are on fire for Christ and the Church isn’t going anywhere.” And for Peter, this pilgrimage—his first—was an invitation to lean into trust, embrace the unexpected, and be consoled by Pope Leo XIV’s personal message of hope: “God is our good Father… we have nothing to fear.”

As noted in reporting in the Catholic Star Herald, tapping into broader themes from the Jubilee, the pilgrimage was a powerful affirmation: “We’re the Church of today,” not just tomorrow. Pilgrims processing with relics of youth saints—including Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis—underscored that holiness is not only possible, it’s vibrant and accessible in everyday life.

Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts are found or at talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic. And, catch us on Domestic Church Media Radio Sundays at 11 AM | Mondays at 4 PM: domesticchurchmedia.org

 

Follow us using our @TalkingCatholic handle on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X