Pickpocketed on her first day, Esther Law could have turned away from Rome – but faith drew her back. In a journey marked by grace, chance encounters and spiritual awakening, she found not only healing, but a deeper sense of belonging.
A journey guided by faith and unexpected kindness
DESPITE being pickpocketed on her very first day in Rome, Esther Law chose to return to the Eternal City – drawn not by fear, but by faith.
This was more than just a visit; it was a deeply personal pilgrimage that had come full circle.
In the city where her journey had once begun, she found sacred encounters, new friendships, and unexpected kindness – reminders of God’s love in the most human of ways.
As her travels unfolded, Law’s heart brimmed with anticipation. She had chosen to conclude her journey in none other than Rome.
“Truly, it was a divine appointment,” she reflected.
Faith led the way
Her journey began on November 11, 2023, in Rome, before continuing through the picturesque landscapes of Lucerne and Zurich – only to return, fittingly, to where it started.
“What better place to conclude a pilgrimage than in a city steeped in history and spirituality?” she said.
The decision was symbolic, tied to the Seventh World Day of the Poor and the Eucharistic Celebration with Pope Francis.
The Mass reverberated deep within her soul. Attending it felt destined, and she longed to share in the blessings of community solidarity.
Months earlier, the odds of securing a ticket for the Mass had seemed slim.
Her hopes dimmed, and doubt crept in like an unwelcome chill. But grace arrived in an unexpected form.
On her first day in Rome, Law was pickpocketed – a distressing event that led her to a kind policeman, affectionately known to her as Sir Francis.
“With unwavering patience, he guided me through the process of filing a police report, ensuring I felt secure and supported,” she said.
Moved by her situation, he managed to obtain a ticket for her to attend the Mass on November 18.
“His actions solidified my belief in the goodness of humanity and served as a gentle reminder of Christ’s love manifesting through another,” she added.
Encounters that heal
On November 19 – the day of the Mass – Law was filled with overwhelming gratitude.
She had initially found a seat in the third row, but a nudge in her spirit led her to move to the seventh row. There, she met Madam Polar, a woman from Poland.
“Our conversation flowed easily, warming my spirit even further,” she noted.
On discovering that Law was Malaysian, Polar introduced her to a fellow Malaysian nearby. That moment sparked a warm web of friendships.
She soon met six other pilgrims – two Malaysians, two Indonesians, and two Filipinos.
“Our bond was sealed in shared faith and laughter,” she said.
After the Mass, they invited her to lunch – a simple gesture that made her feel she truly belonged. Together, they explored Rome’s sacred sites, using buses and their own two feet.
“It was in the company of these endearing persons that I truly felt the warmth of humanity,” she added.
One of their most memorable stops was the Basilica of St Mary Major, the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome.
“Its history stretches back to the fifth century, making it an architectural treasure,” she noted.
The basilica, cherished by Pope Francis, left a lasting impression.
“This intimate space is a stunning homage to both Mary and Jesus, and it pulsates with an aura of spiritual tranquility,” she explained.
She also reflected on the Salus Populi Romani (Health or Salvation of the Roman People) icon – a Byzantine image of the Madonna and Child housed in the Borghese (Pauline) Chapel.
“It’s a powerful Roman Catholic association that emanates deep spiritual presence,” she said.
Steps of humility
Their pilgrimage continued to the Sancta Scala, or Holy Stairs – said to be the very steps Jesus climbed before Pontius Pilate. Pilgrims ascend them on their knees.
“Witnessing the profound reverence of those around me was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
“It reminded me that even in our darkest moments, we can find our way back to God, one humble step at a time,” she shared.
Before parting with her newfound companions, they shared a final coffee together – a simple yet tender moment.
Law also reached out to Sir Francis to express her gratitude.
Her return journey to Malaysia would be marked not just by the places she visited, but the generosity and compassion she had encountered.
She recalled the support of Reverend Father Guido, who had helped her during a difficult moment, and was honoured to share a final dinner with him.
On her last day, amid the stillness of the Vatican, she took the chance to thank Father Habel, who was leading the women’s pilgrimage group.
In God’s perfect time
On November 20, she returned to St Peter’s Basilica for what she thought would be a quiet moment of prayer.
“Destiny had other intentions,” she said.
She found herself attending another Mass – celebrated by Father D. Crocifisso Tanzarella, the same priest who had invited her to pray the rosary on her first day in Rome.
“It was a breathtaking moment, a serendipitous gift that allowed me to lift my voice in gratitude, right where I felt so lost and found,” she testified softly.
After Mass, she joined the Liturgy of the Hours before St Peter’s tomb and was honoured to read the prayers – not once, but twice.
It was a privilege she would cherish forever.
As she left the Vatican that day, Law’s heart overflowed with gratitude.
“I give thanks to our Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 9:1)
A journey that lives on
The essence of her pilgrimage, she realised, lay not only in the sacred places she saw, but in the people she met and the love she received.
“Old friends, new acquaintances, and even strangers. They embodied the love of God in their actions and words, reminding me that we do not walk this path of life alone,” she said, eyes misty with emotion.
Her experience left a deep mark on her soul.
With God’s grace, she had even come to reflect on the people who took her purse – sensing they might have acted out of desperation or poverty.
This thought led her into deeper prayer.
“The root of poverty continues to be a persistent thread in the tapestry of life.
“I hope and pray that the Holy Mass I had on the World Day for the Poor with Pope Francis in Vatican has deeply served as a soothing balm for broken souls, easing the suffering of those caught in the waves of poverty – a reminder that we may unite our efforts to solve this pressing issue towards the harmony of our world,” she said, her voice full of gratitude.
As she prepared to return home, she carried the blessings of faith, friendships, and grace – hoping that her journey would continue through the way she lives.
“Making strides in lifting hearts out of their struggles, the needy winning challenges they face, and me and more bringing harmony where there is conflict or coldness.
“With a heart warmed with gratitude, I embark on this new chapter in my life, always remembering the beauty of my experience with God, through people and experiences, in Rome,” she reflected.
And as a final offering, Law shared her ‘Ode to the Love of God’ – a poetic reflection of all she had received:
Ode to the Love of God
In every heart, a seed is sown
In kindness shared, God’s love is known.
From strangers’ smiles to hands that lend,
Each moment shared becomes a friend.
Though storms may rage, and shadows grow,
In love divine, our spirits flow.
With open hearts, we rise above,
A harmony born from the hands of love.
