On June 28-July 1, 15 pilgrims from Marian University in Indianapolis joined more than 80 pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in Rome at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pontifical North American College, and the Church of St. Alphonsus Liguori—the official church of the Redemptorist order in Rome and Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin’s home for 18 years.
On June 30, the Marian pilgrims also attended Mass in Assisi at the Basilica of St. Francis to pray for the university community, for the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg, Ind.—who founded Marian University—and for the Church in Indiana.
Representing Marian University were our chairman of the board of trustees, Bill Eckman, and his wife, Teesa; chairman emeritus, Jack Snyder, and his wife, Jennifer; Greg and Sarah Hempstead; Joe and Jan Clayton, and five members of their family; and me (I currently serve as senior vice president at Marian) and my wife, Sharon.
The Marian pilgrims shared many inspiring and joyful experiences, and they often expressed among themselves—and to others—how proud they were to represent Marian University as Archbishop Tobin received the pallium from Pope Francis. It was truly a historic moment for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and for Marian University.
As frequently happens with pilgrims, we got to know each other well. Traveling nearly 5,000 miles from Indiana to Rome in close quarters reveals aspects of personality that are not apparent in briefer, more occasional contacts.
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