Edmund Rice Camps Coordinators’ Pilgrimage to Rome

Each year, to celebrate and thank the incredible coordinators and mentors who dedicate years of voluntary service to Edmund Rice Camps, we organise a pilgrimage — a time to reflect, share, and give thanks for the remarkable experiences of camp and the wider Edmund Rice family.

This year, as ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ we spent the weekend in Rome walking the Jubilee pilgrimage to the Holy Door, accompanied by the Congregational Leadership Team. We attended Mass with Pope Leo in St Peter’s Square, enjoyed lunch at the Brothers’ House, and explored many of the wonderful sites Rome has to offer.

Here are some reflections from participants on this unforgettable experience:

Tom Warren: Walking through the Holy Door was deeply moving and made me feel part of something much bigger than myself. Inspired to explore a Young Leaders programme to continue working with children.

Steff Cook: Sharing a meal at the Brothers’ House was unforgettable. I also appreciated discovering the history of the Wirral camp and hope to restore all pre-COVID camps.

Marisa Scanlon: Meeting coordinators and Brothers from other camps made me realise we are part of a global Edmund Rice family.

Mara Butler: Seeing the heart of the Edmund Rice network in Rome showed the wider impact of our work and the global reach of our mission.

Andy Porter: Attending Mass with Pope Leo highlighted the worldwide ambition of the network. I hope to support camps beyond the UK and help them grow globally.