Rome Pilgrimage, Part 1

This is several weeks overdue. I've had a hard time finding a block of time in which to process my thoughts and experiences and turn them into something someone else might be able to make sense of. I finally decided it really doesn't matter whether or not anyone else 'gets it'. It was deeply person and very real, and I just need to get it written down.


We arrived in Rome early Friday morning, so we were able to spend most of the day exploring Vatican City. Our hotel was only a 20 minute walk from St. Peter's Basilica, which was very convenient since we spent most of our time in Vatican City. One of the first things the girls noticed about Rome was the nuns. Old nuns, young nuns, walking down the blocks. Short nuns, tall nuns, even nuns with chicken pox eat hot dogs...Armor hot dogs... 8-) We made a game out of looking for the different habit colors. Nuns aren't relegated to just black and white anymore, that's for sure! We learned there's a lot more variety in Priest's and Monk's robes than we'd thought, too.

We toured the Vatican Museum, which I could have spent an entire day meandering through. So much history of Christianity from all cultures in one building! It was amazing. The Sistine Chapel was breathtaking! It boggles the mind to stand before (or beneath) Michelangelo's masterpieces and realize how unbelievably talented he was. The scope of his gifts is hard to comprehend. I can't draw a straight line to save my life and this man turned flat surfaces and huge pieces of rock into beauty that sings praises to our Creator. The Pieta moved me deeply. The look of heartbroken tenderness on Mary's face as she lovingly held the broken body of her son brought stillness into my soul. I don't know how else to describe it. A piece of rock made me cry.

St. Peter's Basilica is huge. The first day we were there we were able to walk through the tombs in the basement. We walked past one after the other, some very plain, others a little more ornate. Several people were kneeling and quietly praying at the tomb of Pope John Paul II.

The thing that really got the kids' attention, though, were the incorruptibles in the Basilica; especially Pope John XXIII. What an amazing phenomenon, and one only found in the Church.

(Outside St. Peter's Basilica on our way to early morning Mass)

We woke early Saturday morning, ate, and hurried to St. Peter's where we'd reserved a small chapel near St. Peter's tomb in which to celebrate Mass. We hurried through the nearly deserted square and into the Basilica. The kids and I were excited about getting to celebrate Mass where St. Peter was martyred and buried, and the sleepy hush over the square was perfectly fitting.

As we walked through the Basilica I noticed several priests in their Lenten vestments on their knees before the various altars. What a beautiful thing to see all these men of God humbly seeking His face in preparation for celebrating His Holy Mass. Because our priest is well-known in Vatican City, the rules were bent for us and we were allowed to go into the Sacristy where the priests are assisted in vesting for Mass. After Father Mitch was ready, he led the way to a gate leading into the catacombs beneath the Basilica. As we walked down the ancient stone stairs the sounds of prayers and singing in different languages softly floated up to us, and for a moment I thought of how beautiful it must be to the Lord to hear his children praising him in every language on earth. Sigh.

(Fr. Mitch celebrating Mass in St. Peter's)

I was asked to assist with Mass by distributing the Blood of Christ, and words can't adequately express the feelings of humility and gratitude that coursed through me at the thought of this holy sacrifice being celebrated at such a holy site.








(St. Peter's Tomb)

After Mass we walked a few feet down the corridor and passed St. Peter's Tomb. Such a tiny place for such a great man. (Being the rebel I am, I hurried back around the circular corridor to sneak a picture. Most people never get to see it, and I didn't want to forget. A very small family was just beginning to celebrate Mass right there in the tomb, and they had no idea I was lurking. 8-) )




(Which one is the cherub?)
Fortunately we had lots of light, silly moments to balance out the intense spirituality of Vatican City. And Katie's always willing to be a ham.











(Andrew walking outside the walls of Vatican City)

We walked along these walls so many times I think I could do it blindfolded! The wall just seems to go on and on and on and on and on....... Needless to say we all crashed at the end of each day!