“Staying Close to Mary” | Postcards from Rome 2026

One of my highlights from this week of The Rome Experience was doing the “7 Church’s Tour” which took place on Saturday. Not only was it an opportunity to practice discipline and endurance through several miles of walking, but it was a time of deep prayer and encounter with God. Fr. Eric Nielsen’s homily in the morning before we left inspired me to consider someone in my life whom I can pray for throughout the pilgrimage. I decided to offer up my prayers and miles of hiking for my grandmother who is almost 90 years old.

My beloved grandmother came to mind for several reasons. Firstly, she has been struggling for many years with heart issues and is a double amputee. She does not have the ability to walk and she is frequently in pain and discomfort because of her health. So, throughout the tour, I prayed for her, particularly regarding her health, that our Lord may protect, heal, and strengthen her. Throughout the hike, I experienced a bit of discomfort dealing with a couple blisters on my feet. This discomfort was an opportunity to offer it up for my grandmother.

The day of the 7 Church’s tour also had significance as we celebrated the memorials of St. Anthony of Padua and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In a special way, I asked for the intercession of both to bring my petitions before Jesus, the Divine Physician. St. Anthony is one of my grandmother’s favorite saints and my confirmation saint! We happened to stop at the Basilica of St. Lorenzo, a Franciscan parish, where I prayed before the statue of St. Anthony.

On the celebration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I reflected on the heart of Mary in connection with my grandmother, who has been dealing with heart problems for many years. Mary understands pain and suffering. Her Immaculate Heart was pierced at the sight of her Son suffering. Through all the pain and difficulty that my grandmother has experienced with heart problems, I turned to Mary to draw close to her and provide comfort and consolation in her suffering as she endures this cross.

My grandmother has modeled devotion to the Blessed Mother for me. She has been a great inspiration in the faith for me and I see how she constantly calls upon Our Lady for strength. This day was not only an opportunity to pray for my grandmother and ask for our Lady’s intercession but also a crucial reminder of the importance of staying close to Mary when our own hearts are pierced at the sight of suffering. Mary knows our pain and she never ceases to wrap us in the comfort of her mantle as we stay close to the Cross as she herself did.

Dylan McKay
Diocese of Palm Beach