Quid hoc ad aeternitatem?
Narration of my pilgrimage to Rome with the Society Saint Pius X

Matthew Zepf

It was in the first week of August that finally our small contingency of Traditional Catholic, Canadian pilgrims reached Rome. Graced by God, I was counted among them on this pilgrimage of August, 2000.

Led by Father Belisle (Father Emily led a separate group which we never caught up with), who’s sister Jacinte had done a marvelous job of getting us this far (and who would later get us back home), we Canadians had been on the move for already two weeks through several international airports, six different countries and had seen the physical manifestations of our Catholic faith in all forms, from magnificent cathedrals to humble chapels where we were able to have the Holy, Latin Mass celebrated for us by Father.  Naturally by now we each had our own little crosses to bear, and we had logged our fair share of hours sitting aboard a tour bus, but at least we had reached the climax of our Pilgrimage : Rome. Here in the Eternal City our small band of Canadian Traditionalists joined together with others in our Holy Faith from all over the world.

At the first meeting point we assembled in anticipation as Traditionalists from diverse nations and various languages materialized from the labyrinth-like streets of the Papal City.  Finally, fully assembled and now around 6000 strong, we began our three day pilgrimage under the leadership of all four, heroic bishops that the Society of Saint Pius X has been blessed with.  United in Faith we were consequently united in language, that of course being Latin, the tongue of our Holy Mother the Church. With one voice we sang, as we marched, our Latin hymns of centuries and Holy Rosaries in resounding Gregorian chant.  Our ranks, which took almost 20 to 30 minutes to pass a given point, took over entire streets and stopped the traffic of Rome. Pedestrians stopped, rooted to the spot, watching us as we passed. Roman shop owners came out onto the sidewalk and stared, perplexed expressions of wonder on their faces. Street vendors, momentarily robbed of business by our domination of the street, gazed upon us with stunned expressions.  When we finally reached our destination, which would include 3 basilicas in 3 days, (7 basilicas for those who were able to do them all), we proceeded through the Holy Doors, each with silent prayers upon our lips and hearts.  After having filled the basilica to capacity, we were rallied by short sermons given by various priests and Bishop Fellay. After the discourse, the bishop led us all in the prayers to gain the indulgence and in praying for our Holy Father. The singing of the Credo left upon me the greatest impression of the entire pilgrimage. With one, powerful voice, 6000 Catholic souls sung with an intensity that displayed they were making a most sincere act of Faith. The walls of the basilica, which have stood and heard the prayers of Catholics for ages, echoed with our voices, seemingly to join our chorus with those voices of our departed brethren of centuries past. The air continued to vibrate with the final notes after we had finished and we stood for a moment in silence remembering those who could not make this pilgrimage and for whom we had promised to pray.

Later, the Pontifical High Mass was celebrated in a public, Roman park (where Nero had once executed martyrs for the Faith) by Bishop Fellay, with all pilgrims able to attend.  What a consolation it was to see the visible unity only the Catholic Church is capable of manifesting in its worship of God. All nations able to attend as one, understand as one, and pray as one. This pilgrimage was a physical manifestation of the four marks of Our Lord Jesus Christ’s Church: One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. We were One in Faith, in language, and were closer to each other than with our own countrymen who do not have the Faith. The pilgrimage was Holy, with the Holy, Latin Mass of all times having been offered, with the Holy Rosary and Latin, Catholic hymns of the ages. It had been Catholic; truly universal, with all nationalities and languages able to be present and represented in the faith, while at the same time at Rome, the Holy City. It was Apostolic, the Catholic laity being led by Catholic priests under the guidance of Catholic bishops who led us in praying for the Pope, our Holy Father, for the hierarchy, and for all the Church. It was a truly Catholic pilgrimage, the likes of which Rome has not seen in a long time. A Canadian could finally look upon our flag, which was flown during the miles of the pilgrimage, without being ashamed. Our flag and country which have come to stand for a land collapsing under the yoke of demonic "laws" such as abortion, and hemorrhaging from an utter materialistic society, was at last participating in something that stood up for the Truth; for the good God. For all those Canadians, you the Traditional Catholics of Canada, who could not come because of time, funds or duty of state, we were there for you and remembered you in our prayers.  Especially we remembered those young families, models of sacrifice, whose heroic mothers are putting all they have into schooling and instilling the Faith in their children.  For all those fathers who must work long hours to make ends meet while guiding their families through the mine field that is the modern world. For all those who were too old to go, whose prayers and long lives of sacrifice have gained untold merits that will only be revealed on the last day. For all the young adults, struggling to establish their lives while advancing in the Faith, in a world that has forgotten God.  For all our priests operating in Canada who drive long hours and make so many hidden sacrifices so that we laity may have the sacraments available.  For all Canadian Traditionalist Catholics, for to be Catholic, especially in our time, is to engage in the most intense battle that exists in life : the battle against the world, the flesh, the devil and our own wills. Our modest group, though not even 40 strong, was there with all of Catholic Canada in Rome. May God mercifully restore the rule of Christ the King in Canada for the salvation of souls and His greater Glory.  Deo Gratias.

Saint Peter’s Square and Basilica are close by	Our four Bishops: Msgr. Fellay, Msgr De Gallaretta, Msgr Tissier de Mallerais, and Msgr Williamson
The Seminarians are about to enter in Saint Peter’s Basilica through the Holy Door	Part of the Canadian pilgrims who came with Father Belisle
Led by a Capuchin Father carrying a big cross, the procession approaches the Basilica of Saint Mary Major	The pilgrims filling Saint Paul outside the Walls Basilica