PROVIDENCE — “Anyone would go to Rome, but for all of us, we’re looking to get more out of it than a trip to Europe,” said Simon Tetreault, regarding an upcoming discernment pilgrimage he and 16 other men will embark on to Rome and Assisi, sponsored by the Diocese of Providence Vocations Office.
Tetreault, a young college graduate from the University of Rhode Island, has already been to both Italian cities, but he is approaching this trip with a new vision than he would a family vacation or visit to a friend — “just being open” to the call of the Holy Spirit.
As the former president of the Catholic Center at URI, Tetreault knew Father Ryan Simas — the current diocesan vocations director — well. Inspired by a similar trip put on by the Archdiocese of Boston, Father Simas proposed to him the idea of a discernment retreat to Rome and Assisi, to which Tetreault responded “Absolutely!”
The trip will take place December 26 through January 2, at the very end of the Jubilee Year of Hope. Father Jairon Olmos, parochial vicar at St. Charles Borromeo and St. Michael Parishes, Providence, and assistant vocations director, will accompany Father Simas in leading the pilgrimage.
Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. supports this effort. Father Simas is asking the people of the diocese for financial assistance to promote potential vocations on this trip of discovery.
“There’s an old saying — ‘Everybody’s called to Rome for a particular reason,’” Father Simas said. “Our goal is to expose young men to the heart of the Church” through visiting holy sites like St. Peter’s Basilica—and the crypts underneath—churches dedicated to saints and their final resting places, important historic sites like the Colosseum and the Forum and the basilicas of St. Francis and St. Clare in Assisi. Fathers Simas and Olmos will celebrate daily Mass and lead the group in Eucharistic Adoration and praying the Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours.
Having seen the fruits born from Boston’s pilgrimage, Father Simas believes that the Diocese of Providence could benefit from this idea as well. “It’s opening their eyes to the larger Church; this is what the Holy Spirit has in mind for them.”
For the past few years, Tetreault has been seeking answers in his life, praying and “flying to Our Mother” to discern his own vocation. This includes deep conversations not only with priests but with fellow men discerning the same path. He has gotten to know many of the other men he will be traveling with. This fraternity is another important aspect of the pilgrimage.
“We’ve already had some of these discussions about discernment, what the Lord is doing in our lives … we can go to each other with big issues that when we talk them out, seem so small. It is Christ at the center of our lives” that allows them to have those deep relationships.
Conversely, Luke Simms, who has spent the past couple of years almost 2,000 miles from home in College Station, Texas, knows none of the other men going on the pilgrimage. He hopes for opportunities prior to the December departure to meet his fellow travelers. “I’m excited to meet them, to get to know them on a brotherly level,” he said
He also hasn’t been out of the country before, so when he received the invitation from Father Simas – while relaxing on the couch – he knew he couldn’t say no. “I’m really excited. Like a kid on Christmas Eve.”
The election of the first American pope adds another layer of childlike glee for Simms. He hopes to have the opportunity to see Pope Leo XIV, and potentially attend a Mass celebrated by the Holy Father.
“It’s hard to grasp where and why we’re going,” Simms continued, but he is awed by the idea of witnessing a “truly universal” Church, where people from all over the world converge on Rome and Vatican City, celebrating Masses in varying tongues in more than 900 churches throughout the Eternal City.
Simm’s first serious call to the priesthood – aside from “celebrating” Mass as a preschooler – came in fourth grade, which he has been discerning off and on since then. In his vocational journey, he has spoken with several priests for guidance: Father Ryan Connors, Father Bernard Healey, Father Daniel Mahoney and Father Joshua Barrow.
While a student at LaSalle Academy, he was urged to consider becoming a brother, but “only a priest can say Mass,” he said.
“The closer we get [to the trip], the more surreal it becomes.”
Likewise, Tetreault expressed his joy at joining his fellow brothers in faith to explore their vocations. “It’s going to bring us closer to God and closer together.”
The timing of the trip is also sublime, as the group arrives during the celebration of the Christmas season. Tetreault pointed out the parallels in the Jubilee Year of Hope and Christmas, “when hope was just brought into the world,” he said.
Additionally, St. Francis of Assisi is credited as the originator of the Nativity scene. Visiting his home and burial place holds special significance for Tetreault. With a degree in plant science, he currently works on the URI farm and has a kinship with the saint known for his care of creation. “He had a quiet life, and intentional way … and that simple life is very much possible today.”
The cost of the pilgrimage is $3,500 and attendees are expected to pay at least $1,000 of this amount. Father Simas hopes to make the pilgrimage as affordable as possible to these young men, most of whom are college students. Donations can be made to the Office of Vocations, 485 Mount Pleasant Ave, Providence, RI 02908, earmarked “Vocations Pilgrimage.”
