Day 16

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Our day began with morning prayer and Mass at the church next door to the Domus, San Carlo ai Catenari. Next we embarked on a walking tour of ancient Rome led by Mother Regina Pacis. Mother is a scholar of ancient Rome and early Christianity and gave wonderful, easy to understand backgrounds and descriptions on all of the sites that we visited. We walked to several Roman forums and visited several churches that are the resting places of early saints and martyrs located near the ancient ruins of Rome. The hot summer Roman sun could not dampen our interest or enthusiasm as we  prayed in the Basilicas of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, which is also the headquarters of the T.O.R. Franciscans, and St. Frances of Rome. Finally, we prayed at the Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, where some chains from his imprisonment are displayed and Michelangelo's famous sculpture of Moses is located.

Mother Regina Pacis explains ancient ruins encountered on our way to the Roman forum.

The sisters climb the steps to the current Roman city hall. The building was designed by Michelangelo and sits adjacent to the Roman forum.

We are ready to learn about ancient Rome! This photo was taken just outside the Roman forum.

One of the many beautiful views of ancient Rome looking toward the Palatine Hill..

Next to the Roman forum sits the Mamertine prison where St. Peter was once imprisoned. It is also possible that St. Paul was briefly imprisoned here.

Sr. Mary Alma and Sr. Paula in front of a 5th Century icon of Mary and the Child Jesus at the Basilica of St. Frances of Rome. The ancient icon was recently discovered behind an  icon from the Middle Ages that is located above the basilica's main altar. 

The sisters returned to the Domus for nourishment and a short rest. Later in the afternoon Msgr. Steven Lopes from the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith arrived to continue his conferences on the mysteries of Christ's life and their importance and meaning for our lives today.

Msgr. Lopes sharing his theological knowledge and insights into the mysteries of Christ's life.

We look forward to the blessings that the Lord has in store for us tomorrow, and also to celebrating Sr. Mary Hanah's birthday!