Viktoriia Marko, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools’ Byzantine Rite Religious Consultant, shares her personal experiences at the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) Catechists’ Jubilee in Rome.
At the end of September, I had the profound honour of participating as a religious consultant of the Byzantine Rite at the Jubilee Days of Catechists of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) in Rome. This pilgrimage carried a special mission, as I represented our students from Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (GSCS), who had prepared a heartfelt gift for Pope Leo XIV.
The students were invited to respond to three questions: What is your personal prayer for Pope Leo XIV? What would you like Pope Leo XIV to pray for? If you had the chance to meet His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, what would you say to him?
We received around 400 responses. As part of the school’s end-of-year retreat, many children from Bishop Filevich Bilingual School contributed by creating drawings and writing letters for the pope. Other Catholic schools also embraced this initiative with great enthusiasm. We are sincerely grateful to the teachers and students for their dedication and support.
Click to read student prayers for the pope.
Visiting sacred sites such as Assisi, the resting place of our newly canonized Saint Carlo Acutis, as well as the shrines of St. Francis and St. Clare, and the Papal Jubilee Basilicas in Rome, was deeply spiritually enriching. The experience of uniting with approximately 350 catechists from around the world, praying together, sharing reflections and discussions at the Ukrainian Basilica of St. Sophia, and walking together with the pilgrimage cross to St. Peter’s Basilica, was profoundly moving. Moments of adoration, the proclamation of Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska as the patroness of UGCC catechists, and unexpected, joy-filled encounters deepened my faith, strengthened my confidence in ministry, and contributed to my professional and spiritual growth.
The highlight of my time in Rome was an audience with His Holiness, during which I had the privilege of presenting the students’ gift and receiving the Pope’s blessing following the general audience. Pope Leo XIV smiled warmly upon seeing the children’s drawings. This encounter touched me deeply and prompted reflection on the essential questions of our relationship with God.
One thought that has stayed with me is this: the Lord allowed me the immense privilege of touching His vicar, St. Peter’s successor, and yet, an even greater, more intimate privilege is when the Lord Himself touches our hearts and makes them His dwelling place in the Holy Eucharist. How often do we truly reflect on this mystery? This experience has led me to reevaluate my approach to this most Holy Sacrament, to embrace it more deeply and personally, and to express greater gratitude to our humble Saviour, who offers Himself to us daily in the Eucharist. It is the indescribable encounter of God with the soul. Let us cherish and treasure this gift!
During the same audience, I also received a long-awaited answer to a prayer regarding a deeply painful issue concerning my homeland. The Lord affirmed me and illuminated the path forward. Glory to Him!
There is one more thing I feel compelled to share after this encounter with Pope Leo: the Holy Father needs our prayers more than ever. I could sense the immense burden he carries, the tension, the weight of being constantly in the public eye, and the responsibility for the salvation of countless souls. He is an ordinary man, called to an extraordinary, sacred mission, one that is both profoundly human and deeply spiritual. Let us embrace our Holy Father with our prayers. Let us become his hands, his voice, and his heart by supporting him in this mission. Let us intensify our intercession for His Holiness, building a strong and unbreakable chain of unity with him and with the entire Catholic Church through love, prayer, and service.
This pilgrimage was a journey of abundant grace, made possible through the generosity and support of many. I am especially grateful to the Holy Father, who graciously responded to my letter; to GSCS and our incredible Religious Education Team; to the GSCS Foundation; to the Stephen & Michelene Worobetz Foundation; to the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission of the UGCC; to Taras Garmasar, designer of the commemorative journal; and, of course, to the students and teachers who contributed to and supported this journey.
Sincere thanks to all who helped make this spiritual pilgrimage a reality.
Enjoy the pictures!
