The 2025 Jubilee theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” emphasizes both spiritual and physical movement, and calls Christians to take on a sense of responsibility for those who cross borders—migrants, exiles, displaced persons, and refugees—claiming their right to security and a dignified existence. Last summer, students enrolled in “Christian Faith and Visual Culture in Rome” took steps toward answering this call during their pilgrimage to the Eternal City.
The accelerated summer study abroad course immerses students in religion, history, and sacred art and architecture. Led by Fr. Marc Reeves, S.J., associate vice president for Mission and Ministry and director of Catholic Studies, and Kirstin Noreen, art history chair and professor in LMU’s College of Communication and Fine Arts, the program was uniquely enriched by the Jubilee, which typically only occurs every 25 years.
The program’s emphasis on movement—physical, spiritual, and intellectual—was transformative. Milka Zekarias, a computer science major, began learning about St. Ignatius and the Jesuit order in orientation. For her, “tracing the legacy of St. Ignatius backward – from LMU to the Rooms of St. Ignatius – was an impactful journey of rediscovering one’s roots.”
In the Jesuit tradition, movement is a catalyst of hope. As Pope Francis wrote in the 2025 Bull of Indiction: “Journeying from one country to another as if borders no longer mattered, and passing from one city to another in contemplating the beauty of creation and masterpieces of art, we learn to treasure the richness of different experiences and cultures, and are inspired to lift up that beauty, in prayer, to God, in thanksgiving for his wondrous works.”
“One of my favorite aspects of this class is that once we got to Rome, none of the learning occurred in a classroom. It all happened on site – we learned about the Colosseum and its architecture inside the Colosseum itself!” Zekarias said.
The experiential approach brought course concepts to life. Visits to the Jewish Ghetto and its synagogues highlighted diverse visual traditions, while walking through the rooms of Ignatius of Loyola and Jesuit churches connected students to LMU’s origin. Students explored early Christian churches like Santa Sabina and Santa Pudenziana, attended Mass at San Clemente and Santa Maria Maggiore, and joined Pope Leo XIV’s second papal audience at St. Peter’s, where LMU is annually recognized among international pilgrims.
A highlight was a modern retracing of the Seven Churches (Sette Chiese) pilgrimage, a devotional practice dating back to the 16th century, organized by St. Filippo Neri. Students walked 15 miles across Rome, visiting seven major pilgrimage churches—four of which featured Holy Doors (Porta Santa) opened exclusively during Jubilee years.
“We found that, regardless of the students’ religious affiliation, the day-long walk provided a time to consciously slow down and experience the intersection of culture, history, and faith in a unique way. The physical act of walking together promoted a special sense of community that provided space for reflection but also solidarity through our common experience,” writes Noreen.
“Yes, it was very hot, and we were definitely tired by the end of the day,” Zekarias shared, “but it also literally helped put us in the shoes of the Christians that walked this pilgrimage before us.”
The Jubilee’s theme resonated with Zekarias. “It was my first time traveling abroad, and I think this opportunity quite literally expanded my worldview—a powerful reignition of hope,” she reflected. “Walking through the historical streets of Rome—through cathedrals, churches, the Vatican—and learning about how Christianity evolved from a hidden practice to the core of the city was an incredible demonstration of possibility and change.”
Students didn’t just study Christian visual culture; they lived it. Back home in Los Angeles, they carry these lessons forward. Just as the Seven Churches pilgrimage unites communities across centuries, today’s Christians are invited to walk in solidarity with migrants, refugees, and all who seek safety and dignity. For LMU students, this journey was not only about understanding faith and art, but about embracing a responsibility that transcends borders—a commitment to build a world where hope moves freely.
“From the symbols on the walls of the catacombs to the imagery on churches from different time periods, there was a very visual progression of Christianity’s presence in Rome. Before the cross emerged, symbols like the fish, anchor, or others connected to various saints were used to express hope amidst persecution. Looking back now, I can see how this also became a metaphor for us students – to seek and rediscover hope for ourselves physically, spiritually, and intellectually,” said Zekarias.