Day 8

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Today was another beautiful day filled with wonderful blessings. Our morning began with Cardinal James Stafford graciously explaining to us the history and meaning of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the first churches opened in Rome. We were struck by the beauty of the mosaics depicting important events in the life of Mary, as well as the exquisite marble columns and flooring and gold detailing of the ceiling, all created to honor Christ and His Mother. Cardinal Stafford then gave us a conference focusing on St. John of the Cross and his works and spirituality, particularly with regard to the Song of Songs. This is spirituality is reflected in the next church that we visited, Santa Maria della Scala. Administered by the Discalced Carmelites, the aspect of Mary emphasized here was her compassion and sharing in the sufferings of Christ as Mother of Compassion and Mother of Mercy. Cardinal Stafford celebrated Mass for us after which we were given a tour of the church by one of the Carmelite priests in residence there.

Cardinal Stafford explaining the the icon behind him in Santa Maria in Trastevere. Dating from the 7th Century, or possibly earlier, it is one of the oldest icons of Mary in Rome.

Adjacent to Santa Maria della Scala is the oldest pharmacy in Rome. Opened by the Carmelites in 1590 it was the pharmacy of the popes and other dignitaries living or visiting in the city. Opened to the public in 1700, it was closed in 1954. After learning about some of their compounds, one of which included vipers as an ingredient, we gained a greater appreciation for modern medicine!

Cardinal Stafford and the sisters get a lesson in medieval pharmacy.

This afternoon we were privileged to attend Cardinal Raymond Burke's 40th Anniversary Mass of his ordination to the priesthood at Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Following the beautiful liturgy, we were pleasantly surprised to meet St. Gianna Molla's youngest daughter, Gianna, who was also in attendance at the Mass.

Sr. Veronica greets St. Gianna's daughter, Gianna, following Cardinal Burke's 40th Anniversary of Ordination Mass. 

The sisters were able to congratulate Cardinal Burke following the Anniversary Mass.

We close today with great gratitude for all of the events and blessings of this day, and look forward to what the Lord has in store for us tomorrow.

Day 7 June 29  2015
Solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul

Today for the first time our little band ventured out of Rome proper, catching the train from the Termini Station at about 8.00 a.m. for a two-hour, smooth train ride through the lovely Italian countryside. Our destination: Assisi.

For those of us who had never been to this world-famous oasis of peace and beauty, our day trip confirmed what we had anticipated.  For the Sisters of Franciscan congregations, today provided a privileged time of experiencing first hand their spiritual patrimony.  For all of us, whether or not this was our first visit to the home of  Ss. Francis and Claire, whether or not our communities have Franciscan roots, this day brought many graces, beginning with the greatest gift of all, the Eucharist, as we attended Mass at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.

"Nothing is accidental, everything is providential", as the saying goes.  What did it mean that we visited and prayed at the holy places of St. Francis and St. Claire on the Solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul? Perhaps a line from the Responsorial Psalm of today's Mass provides a clue: "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall be ever in my mouth..." (Ps. 34). What better paraphrase of St. Francis's  "Laudato sei, Signore" ("May You be praised, O Lord.")?  Lord, may we - and all our loved ones back in the U.S. - journey to You through this life with Your praise ever on our lips. Amen.

Day 6

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Pope Francis addresses the thousands of faithful in St. Peter's Square before the recitation of the Angelus today.

Our anticipation grew as St.Peter Square filled with thousands of colorful and expectant people.  It heightened as the red banner was unfurled from the second window, and finally climaxed as  the small white and well-loved figure appeared. Our Holy Father had come to speak to us!.   

The Holy Father encouraged us to have faith in the absolute power of Jesus.   "Who believes 'touches' Jesus and draws from Him the grace that saves."

"Every time when Jesus approaches us, when we go to Him, we hear this from the Father: 'Son.  You are my son, you are my daughter, you're healed, you' re healed.  I heal all, everyone and everything." 

Thank you Holy Father!

Day 5

Saturday, June 27, 2015

The uniqueness and beauty of the Catholic Church come from striving for balance.  Balancing justice and mercy, truth and love, heaven and earth, virtue and reality, clearly not easy tasks, but very good. 

One view of the Tiber River

Walking along Via Giulia.

 Father helped us deepen our understanding of the role of education in the global Church.  Not only did we come away with a greater appreciation of the contribution of our charisms within the Church, but we could each feel our vision broadening as Father spoke of the Church in China, and the importance of education of those in particular need.  As we listened and observed the audio equipment in front of each of us which is used for adlimina visits which included jacks for headphones so each participant could listen in his native language, we were reminded of the universality of the Catholic Church, which was expanding our hearts through her love and care for her people.

A brisk morning walk to St. Peter's.

Sister Mary Joan ran into her fellow sisters unexpectedly! Unfortunately, she was lost for a moment today looking for the confessional. We are grateful she only lost her way in the house!

Journeying through the columns that surround St. Peter's.

Speaking of balance…..yesterday when we were out after nearly getting run over by an electric car (we listen for cars coming behind us, but missed this one as it was absolutely silent), the driver stopped and spoke with one of our fearless Sister leaders.  Her first question was, “Will you accept a donation?”  Sister asked her if there was anything we could pray for?  Barbara said, “Please pray for my daughter, Alessandra who is giving birth tomorrow and my daughter Greta.”

“Anything for you?” Sister asked.

“No, just my children,” the mother replied, as she handed over a sizable donation.

So today we had a Danish and a cup of coffee, cappuccino or the like after Mass and tonight was a good night to slip out for a gelato.  Thank you very much, Barbara, we are praying for your children, along with the many requests of our sisters, families and benefactors.  Along the way to get gelato, one of the local Sisters pointed out some small gold plates embedded into the sidewalk along the way in front of a large set of residential doors.  She said, these plaques are in memory of Jewish people who were pulled out of this house by the Nazis.  The plates listed the names of seven people.  It appeared to be three married couples and the child of one couple.  The bottom line of each plate said “assassinated on ……..”  I don’t recall the exact date, but they were all the same.  (pause please)  Balance.  May the joy of the people of God be genuine and come easily, but never so much so that we forget our suffering brothers and sisters.  What a stark example of the little joys and immense sufferings of humanity.

One of the many memorials that decorate the doorways of our Jewish brothers and sisters in the Jewish ghetto. Approximately the size of a coaster.

A day would not be complete without a gelato!

Day 4

Friday, June 26, 2015

This morning began with Mass at the Domus chapel after which we headed to the Vatican. There we met Br. Simon, FSO, our guide for the Scavi tour. We first saw models of the first St. Peter's Basilica built by Constantine and of the site of St. Peter's tomb. Next we entered into the excavation underneath the current St. Peter's Basilica that was begun by Pope Pius XII early in his papacy. Burial "houses" built by Romans were found. The burial sites that we saw also had Christian family members buried with the rest of the family. the highlight of the tour was when we saw parts of St. Peter's tomb, which lies directly below the papal altar. Br. Simon gave excellent explanations on the background and meaning of all that we saw. It was truly a blessing! Please remember Br. Simon in your prayers as he is ordained a transitional deacon this September 19 in his native Belgium.

Pictures were not allowed during the Scavi tour, but we hope that each of you will be able to make it in person sometime in the future!

Br. Simon, Sr. Mary Kathleen, Mother Regina Pacis and Sr. Paula waiting for the Scavi tour to begin.

The original location of the obelisk now standing in St. Peter's Square. It originally stood in the center of Nero's Circus and was most likely one of the last things seen by St. Peter as he was being martyred.

This afternoon we were privileged to have two conferences at the Domus given by Fr. Friedrich Bechina, FSO from the Vatican Congregation of Catholic Education. The themes for Father's conferences looked at mission and evangelization, the question of education and learning and why the world needs religious. Fr. Bechina brings a wealth of experience and knowledge as well as an engaging style to his conferences, and we look forward to the continuation of his conferences tomorrow. We were happy that Father stayed for Holy Hour and then joined us for our evening meal.

Enjoying the wisdom of Fr. Bechina after a delicious meal prepared by Mother Regina Pacis.

Day 3
Thursday, June 25, 2015

This morning Fr. Cush continued to unfold the wonders of Rome for us as he led us on a
spectacular tour of St. Peter's. "And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.° Mt. 1,18

Dome of St. Peter's.

Coat of arms of St. John Paul II.

Note the single tiara, introduced by him.

Day 2
Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Feast of the Birth of St. John the Baptist

Father John Cush of the Diocese of Brooklyn, NY graciously led us on an inspiring day of grace.  We began the day with the incredible privilege of attending Mass in the very room where St. Ignatius of Loyola died.  Following Mass, we viewed other rooms of the Saint's Roman home where we saw his shoes, vest, vestments, and handwritten documents all of which were close to 500 years old. 

If this impressed us, which it did, you can imagine our delight in being able to pray in the Church of the Gesù at the tomb of St. Ignatius.

In the afternoon, we walked cobblestone streets to the Casa Santa Maria, the graduate house of studies of the North American College, and saw the beautiful home of approximately 80 priests from the United States who are studying in Rome.

Highlights there were Pope Pius XII's bird cage and the beautiful chapel of Our Lady of Humility.  All of us feel humbled to be receiving such blessings and we are grateful to our Superiors and Sisters for allowing us to be here.  You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Day 1
Tuesday, June 23, 2015

We have all arrived and are off and….praying, seeing, walking places we’ve not been before.

On this first day Fr. John Cush celebrated the opening Mass.  In his homily he detailed a few reasons to study in Rome.

• It gives one the sense of the Universal Church.
• We will return home with a renewed appreciation for things at home.
•  Rome herself is a great teacher.
• Build the Sister’s network.  We never seem to go to a place where there is not hospitality in “our network.”

As we traveled the number of bilingual people was impressive.  So many could easily make their comment in German, and if you looked confused they’d try something else.  Father’s comment about the universality of the Church and humanity was confirmed.

A quarter of our group is still waiting for luggage.  Spirits seem undaunted by the absence of our “things”, nevertheless eventually there are a few things we could use.  St. Anthony, we could use a little help here. 

Thanks for reading, God bless.

Welcome to the 2015 CMSWR Domus Summer Renewal Program blog!

We will be in the Eternal City from Tuesday, June 23 through Tuesday, July 14, and are very happy to have you accompany us by viewing our blog and keeping us in your prayers.

This is the third year of the Domus Summer Renewal Program. This year's group is composed of 13 Sisters from 8 Communities who are members of the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR):

Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal (CFR)

Franciscan Sisters of Saint George the Martyr (FSGM)

Marian Sisters of the Diocese of Lincoln (MS)

School Sisters of Christ the King (CK)

Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM)

Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (SSCJ)

Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT)

Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan (RSM)