Several groups connected to Jesuit Young Adult Ministry from across Europe took part in the Rome Pilgrimage, held from July 29 to August 3, 2025, on the occasion of the Jubilee of Youth. Their participation was not limited to the days in Rome: some groups prepared themselves through Ignatian pre-Jubilee experiments and others did spiritual exercises and retreats afterward to deepen the fruits of the pilgrimage. Here we offer some information about these important Jesuit initiatives.

A pan-European Ignatian presence

European Jesuit youth arrived in Rome as pilgrims of hope, joining diocesan groups and movements from across the continent. Throughout the week, Ignatian spirituality was visible in prayer, service, cultural encounters, and hospitality. Jesuit churches in the city offered liturgies, catechesis, reconciliation, music, and quiet space—making Rome’s Ignatian heart a crossroads for thousands of young adults.

Program highlights in Rome

• Welcome & city dialogues (July 29–31): Jesuit communities and partners hosted multilingual prayer, testimonies, and guided visits, tying the city’s sacred art to discernment and mission.

• Penitential Day (Aug 1): Extended hours for confession and spiritual conversation were offered by Jesuits and collaborators across the three historic churches.

• Evening of prayer & unity: An ecumenical prayer at the Church of St. Ignatius gathered young people from Ignatian, Taizé, and other communities for Scripture, silence, and intercession for peace.

• Tor Vergata (Aug 2–3): Ignatian groups camped together on the vigil field, assisting with animation and service roles before the closing Mass.

Summary of the Pilgrimages:

France, Belgium, Luxembourg (Réseau MAGIS)

Réseau MAGIS coordinated a large delegation of students and young professionals (18–35), with pastoral teams preparing participants through prayer, formation, and service experiences. In Rome, the group was highly visible at the Ignatian churches, where they volunteered as musicians, translators, and guides for other pilgrims. Their evenings often concluded with shared Taizé prayer or testimonies on reconciliation and ecological justice. Read More

Spain (MAG+S)

The Spanish Ignatian network MAG+S organized a national pilgrimage framed by the Spiritual Exercises. More than 700 young people from schools, universities, and parishes traveled with Jesuits and lay animators. Each morning began with a guided Examen and small-group discernment. In Rome, MAG+S offered catechesis in Spanish at Sant’Andrea al Quirinale, and animated a large reconciliation service that drew hundreds of pilgrims. Read More

Portugal

A university‑age group connected to the Jesuits in Portugal made a week‑long pilgrimage guided by Jesuit chaplains. Their program blended prayer in the Ignatian churches, service, and thematic visits, culminating in the Saturday vigil and Sunday Eucharist at Tor Vergata. They also co-hosted a bilingual (Portuguese-English) cultural evening with Brazilian Jesuit youth, strengthening Lusophone ties within the Jubilee. Read More

Italy, Malta, Albania, Romania (MAGIS EUM)

The Euro‑Mediterranean Province (EUM) served as a major hospitality hub. Hundreds of Ignatian volunteers staffed welcome points and spiritual accompaniment in the Jesuit churches, offering music, catechesis, and confession—supporting thousands of pilgrims who passed through the Ignatian circuit in central Rome. Local Italian university chaplaincies also animated moments of silent adoration and volunteered as ushers at the Tor Vergata field. Read More

Britain

Jesuit chaplaincies and partners (including the Faithful Companions of Jesus and school groups) accompanied young adults to Rome. The delegation included both university and secondary school groups. They focused on “dialogues” about faith and social justice, with special sessions on digital culture and ecology. A highlight was a bilingual (English-Italian) youth-led Stations of the Cross at the Church of the Gesù. Read More