Niamh (Class of 2022) at the Jubilee of Youth in Rome
When Niamh Smithies (Class of 2022) heard about the Jubilee of Youth pilgrimage in Rome, she knew she couldn’t miss the opportunity. Held only once every twenty-five years, the Jubilee brings together more than a million young Catholics from around the world to celebrate their faith and hear from the Pope. For Niamh, it was a chance to be part of something truly historic and uplifting.
A Joyful Global Gathering
Arriving in Rome, Niamh was struck by the incredible energy of the city. Streets overflowed with music, song and dance, as young Catholics from every corner of the globe celebrated together. People exchanged gifts from their homelands, shared stories and connected instantly, creating a sense of being one united family in faith.
She describes it as exhilarating and unlike anything she had ever experienced, particularly when gathered in Saint Peter’s Square with so many others who shared her beliefs.
A Cherished Encounter
Among the many highlights of the Jubilee, one moment stood out above the rest. On the final night, Niamh joined pilgrims camping out beneath the stars at Tor Vergata. The following morning, Pope Leo XIV passed by in his popemobile before Mass, creating an unforgettable experience.
“I looked up into his face as he proudly looked out at us with tears in his eyes. It was so beautiful, and I’ll cherish that moment forever.”
Renewed Faith
The pilgrimage was deeply transformational for Niamh’s faith. Surrounded by peers who radiated love for Christ, she realised that it wasn’t that she lacked faith before, but that the Jubilee helped her to embrace a deeper and more radical faith in action, lived out in all aspects of life. It was not something to be kept just for volunteering, acts of service, or spiritual activities alone.
She reflected on Pope Leo XIV’s words during the Sunday address, where he reminded the young people that “We are not made for a life where everything is taken for granted and static, but for an existence that is constantly renewed through gift of self in love. We feel a deep and burning thirst that no drink in this world can satisfy. Knowing this, let us not deceive our hearts by trying to satisfy them with cheap imitations! Let us rather listen to them!”
This message encouraged Niamh to see her studies and everyday responsibilities as opportunities to honour God, rather than as tasks to be endured for some distant purpose.
Hope for the Future
The Jubilee also reshaped Niamh’s understanding of her role as a young Catholic. While it is easy to feel isolated in local communities where few young people attend Mass, the Jubilee revealed the vibrancy and diversity of the wider Church. Seeing so many young Catholics alive in their faith gave her hope and renewed courage to live out her calling.
“Pope Leo told us, ‘You are the salt of the earth and the hope of the world.’ At the Jubilee, I saw what that really means. Our diversity didn’t divide us; it united us.”
Lessons from Santa Maria
Looking back, Niamh recognises how her years at Santa Maria College helped prepare her for this journey. The sense of belonging she experienced at school showed her the importance of community, which she sought again in Rome. She also drew inspiration from the Sisters of Mercy, whose willingness to journey across the world for their faith mirrored her own decision to attend the Jubilee.
A Message of Hope
For today’s students, Niamh has one simple message: Jesus is the voice of hope. She wants to emphasise that the sense of hope we feel, the voice that calls us to love beyond ourselves, is Jesus. Many people have that hope but don’t recognise it as Him, and as a result, struggle to foster their faith. By choosing to trust in Jesus daily, we can each contribute to a more loving and peaceful world.
Looking Ahead
The Jubilee has left a lasting imprint on Niamh’s future. She now feels freer, less anxious about what lies ahead, and more committed to orienting her life towards Christ. She carries with her the Pope’s reminder that courage and fulfilment come from love, and that every choice is an opportunity to give of ourselves for others.
Niamh’s journey reminds us that extraordinary experiences of faith can inspire us to live more purposefully in the everyday.
- AlumniFaithStories, CatholicFaithJourney, CatholicYouthPilgrimage, Featured, GlobalCatholicCommunity, JubileeofYouthRome, SantaMariaCollegeAlumni, StudentFaithStories, YoungCatholicsintheChurch
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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