Day 14

Monday, July 6, 2014

Our day began with 7:00 a.m. Mass at the Church of San Andrea della Fratte, where the Jewish convert Alphonse Ratisbonne
 received the gift of faith when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him.

Following Mass the group met at the Immaculate Conception Pillar at Piazza de Spana to admire statues of
 Isaiah, David, Moses and Ezekiel along with their  Scriptural depictions of Our Lady:
  "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son..."  -Isa. 7:14

Sr. Raffaella, FSE (Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist )presented a splendid tour of the Propagation of the Faith,
 including the chapels where Bl. John Henry Newman was ordained and said his first Mass.
 Through her kindness we were also able to view a remarkably well-preserved habit of St. Therese of Lisieux.

Sister takes advantage of one of Rome's  many free fountains (amazingly,
the water is quite clean.) Much appreciated, as the temperatures have been hovering around
 100 F for days now - with no break in sight.
Lord, may our deepest thirst be for You, the fountain of life everlasting. 
(Jn. 4:1-42).

Statue in Our Lady of Victory Church recalls Mary's gift of the Brown Scapular
to St. Simon Stock. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, pray for us. 

The Ecstasy of St. Teresa of Avila, Our Lady of Victory Church.

Back at the Domus, this afternoon Msgr. Steven  Lopes of the Congregation of the Doctrine
of the Faith (CDF) presented the first of his series of conferences on the Mysteries
of Christ's life.  When God reveals Himself to us, he explained, what results is not mere
intellectual knowledge of Him, but rather a living encounter which changes us profoundly.
Prime example: God's revelation to Moses in the Burning Bush (Ex. 3:1-6).
 Lord, we are the people who long to see Your face.  (Cf. Ps. 24:6)
 Statue of  Moses from the Immaculate Conception Pillar, Piazza de Spagna.

Day 13

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Today was a free day for the sisters. Here are a few photos showing how some of the sisters spent this beautiful Sunday.

The tomb of St. Josemarìa Escrivà at Opus Dei in the northern part of Rome.

The top of Castel Sant' Angelo with a grand statue of St. Michael the Archangel.

Another view from Castel Sant' Angelo.

We are in Italy...there must be pizza somewhere in the agenda, right?

Day 12 

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Our day began with Mass at Sant' Andrea della Valle offered by a Theatine priest for consecrated life. Father offered beautiful prayers and words for us and all religious. Next we went to Chiesa Nuova, the church where St. Philip Neri established his oratory in 1575. We were blessed to join a priest who is an expert on St. Philip Neri and his group on a tour of the Saint's rooms. We saw many relics and items he used and prayed at during his life. The tour concluded at St. Philip Neri's tomb located at a side altar of the church.

Praying outside the tomb of St. Philip Neri.

Special back rooms at Chiesa Nuova housing relics and other special items owned by St. Philip Neri. On the mantel behind the sisters, you will see a bust of the saint holding a precious piece of his heart.

This afternoon we took a short walk to San Paolo alla Regola, the Church at the site of St. Paul's first residence in Rome during the years 60 - 62 AD. Located near the Tiber River it contains a room believed to have been occupied by St. Paul during his house arrest referred to at the conclusion of the Acts of the Apostles. It was a blessing to meditate of St. Paul's writings and evangelization at the site where he once lived and prayed.

Feast prepared by the gracious Carmelite sisters, Sr. Pauline Therese and Sr. Marina. Thank you!

Although we are in Rome we did not forget to celebrate the birthday of our country! Before the evening meal we sang patriotic hymns in honor of our country and asking God's blessings upon her. Then we feasted on a delicious traditional 4th of July meal of hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, watermelon and Texas chocolate cake! All that was missing was fireworks! To top off the celebration we enjoyed an excellent movie about St. Philip Neri's life and work here in Rome.

May God bless and protect the United States from all evil, and may God's blessings continue for many generations to come!      

Sr. Elizabeth and Sr. Monica visiting the Church of St. Ignatius in the afternoon. Wonder what they're looking at? 

Day 11
Friday, July 3, 2015

After an early morning Mass, we boarded the bus and headed to Ostia on the Tiber.  There we saw an outstanding excavation of an ancient Roman city dating back to the 4th century before Christ.  Ostia Antica was Rome's seaport and contained apartments, homes, warehouses, snack bars, malls, baths, a theater (which was renovated in 200 A. D.) and a temple to honor Jupiter.  What a lesson in perspective!  Speaking of perspective, Ostia is where St. Monica and her son, St. Augustine, discussed the eternal life and the surpassing glory of those who hope in God.  St. Monica died in Ostia a few days after this holy conversation and is remembered for saying, "Lay this body anywhere, but remember me at the altar of God."

Sister knows that here we have "no abiding city."

A courageous Sister is helping to preserve antiquity.

We are gathered near the sign which speaks of St. Monica.

Back on the bus we headed for Subiaco and enjoyed a picnic lunch at the Monastery of St. Scholastica.  We had Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and prayed the Divine Office with the monks before heading farther up the mountain to the Benedictine Monastery where Saint Benedict lived in a cave for three years. 

Resting after a rigorous climb!

A view of part of the Monastery which is built over the cave where St. Benedict lived for three years.  Here he taught the faith to local shepherds.

Singing in the rain!

On top of the world!

Brother guided us to read the artwork "with our hearts."

The beauty of the rugged mountainous region was amazing as was the monastery, the artwork, and the life of St. Benedict!

Day 10
Thursday, July 2, 2015

On Day 10, we traveled by bus to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls!

This magnificent Basilica is a fitting tribute to the magnanimous soul of the great Apostle to the Gentiles.

May St. Paul intercede for us that we may have a portion of his charity and zeal.

His Eminence James Michael Cardinal Harvey, Archpriest of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, was our gracious and humorous host.

To attend Mass in this sacred building was a blessing, as was being allowed to pray at the tomb of St. Paul.

Above St. Paul's tomb is encased the chain which he wore while a prisoner in Rome.  "For it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain." Acts 28: 20  Also inspiring and a true lessons in fidelity was to see a burning flame above both the burial spot and the chain which the Benedictine monks who care for the Basilica have kept burning since the 700s.

Our outing concluded with a joyful luncheon with Cardinal Harvey during which he shared with us some of the highlights of the 40 years of his priesthood.  Gelato was a perfect way to finish the meal!

Day 9
Wednesday, July 1, 2015

We were part of a worldwide broadcast of the Mass this morning at Vatican Radio, with Monsignor John Joseph Kennedy, an Irish priest from Dublin presiding.  Monsignor has worked for The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for 13 years.  He not only said Mass this morning, but came to the Domus this afternoon to speak to us about the canons on Religious Life within the Church.  The beauty and inspiration of what sounds like it will be “law” was surprising as we reviewed the Church’s definition of Religious Life.  A little side note, Monsignor can do a great imitation of just about any accent: German, Indian, Philippino, and a whole variety of Irish dialects.  We are so blessed to have such good men in the Church, to work here for a long time; it seems a sense of humor is a necessity.

Later in the morning, we toured the less traveled catacombs of St. Priscilla.   These relatively unknown catacombs enable a more reflective, less tourist tainted view of the ancient tombs.  Frescos from the early centuries are still readily visible in parts of the 13 kilometers of catacombs, about a half a kilometer of which we were able to walk through.  Forty thousand tombs have been discovered in this catacomb, many of which had Christian symbols which have been preserved.  We were unable to take photos in the underground areas, but here we are gathering afterward.

Awaiting the train to return home...shade!

What an opportunity of grace to be part of this program!

At the top of Santa Maria in Aracoeli

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.