S. John Lateran, S. Scala, S. Croce

Our three Franciscan Sisters behind the statue of St. Francis
and his brother friars. 
The façade of the Lateran is in the back,
with the one-time papal residence on the right side.

On the last day of June, we experienced the hottest day yet of our time.  But we set out with anticipation for the Lateran Basilica for Mass and a tour.  It was interesting to note that the basilica was originally named for the Most Holy Savior and housed the Holy Father until the papacy moved to Avignon, France, during the 14th Century.

Statue of St. Francis supporting the Church.

When St. Francis was seeking approval for his concept of a radical following of the Gospel, he had an audience with Pope Innocent II.  Initially, the pope was hesitant to grant his request, but that night he had a dream in which he saw Francis holding up the Lateran, by which he understood that this man would be instrumental in reviving the faith in the universal Church.  This statue was created to portray that dream. 

A focal point of the Lateran Basilica is the ornate baldacchino in which are housed two bronze busts of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, containing relics of their skulls.  Because the altar is the privileged place on which we celebrate Christ's redemptive act, the baldacchino draws our eyes upward symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth that takes place during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

A tour of the Lateran from a priest who serves in the Basilica

Cathedra of the Holy Father

The most important aspect of the Lateran Basilica is the cathedra of the Bishop of Rome, located behind the altar.  Cathedra in Latin stands for "chair" and represents the authority of a bishop in his diocese.  Since Pope Francis is not only the leader of the universal Church but also the Bishop of Rome, this church is his cathedral, rather than St. Peter's Basilica.

After viewing St. John Lateran, the Sisters split into two groups.  One group went to Santa Scala - the Holy Stairs - and prayerfully ascended the steps on their knees.  According to tradition, the stairs were brought by St. Helena, the Mother of Emperor Constantine, to Rome from the Praetorium in Jerusalem where Jesus experienced His Passion.  Blood stains are still visible on the stairs.

Baptistry of St. John Lateran Basilica

Meanwhile, the second group of Sisters toured the baptistry of St. John Lateran.  Baptisms have been held in this spot of the basilica for centuries.  The Sisters were delighted that during their visit they witnessed a baptism in process.

Façade of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme

Our last stop for the morning was Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (The Holy Cross in Jerusalem).  This church houses the relics of Jesus' Passion, including fragments of the Cross, a nail, thorns, the Titulus Crucis (INRI inscription), soil from Jerusalem, the cross beam of St. Dismas (the Good Thief) and the finger of doubting Thomas, who probed Jesus' side after the Resurrection.  It was a solemn and prayerful experience.  Photos were prohibited, but you can find more about the church at http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-santa-croce-in-gerusalemme.

With our hearts full of joy and the richness of our experience, we headed back to the Domus on the bus for lunch and a presentation on the history of sites we will visit soon.  In the evening, a number of Sisters also took in a concert by Long Beach Choral Arts Tour Choir at the Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone. The Choir was composed of students from three high schools in the Long Beach, California, area.  They were fantastic!

The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

Today is the Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul, celebrated together on the Church's liturgical calendar to mark their unity of Christian faith and founding the Church in Rome.  Both Apostles came to Rome to preach the Gospel of Christ and were martyred here--St. Peter by upside-down crucifixion and St. Paul from beheading.

Waiting in line before the Papal Mass

We were privileged to receive tickets to today's Papal Mass which Pope Francis celebrated in St. Peter's Piazza.  Annually during the Mass of Ss. Peter and Paul, the Holy Father confers the pallium on new metropolitan Archbishops.  The pallium represents the Archbishop's union with the Holy Father, and therefore Christ, in exercising his episcopal office.

pallium

Archbishops receiving the pallium from the Holy Father

Approaching St. Peter's square, we were delighted to view the numerous large (probably 10 square feet on average) artistic designs on the pavement made with flower petals, seeds, nuts, wood shavings, and other small materials.  The designs are created to honor this very special feast day.

Image of  Pope John Paul II

Image of Celestine V Before

Image of Celestine V After

It is a powerful experience to actually be present in the city of Rome and celebrate this feast day with the universal Church.  The large 90 foot obelisk that is in the center of St. Peter's square would have been one of the last things the Prince of Apostles saw with his earthly eyes.  St. Peter was martyred in the Circus of Caligula (also known as the Circus of Nero) that was to the side of the present basilica, in about the year 64 A.D.  The obelisk was, at that time, in the center of the circus.

Statue of St. Peter in special regalia for the Feast Day

For the Apostles, bringing the Gospel to Rome signified spreading the saving message of Christ to the ends of the earth.  During the Mass, this reality was highlighted by the many languages from "the ends of the earth" spoken and sung in praise of God: Latin, Italian, English, Spanish, Aramaic, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese.

Waiting in our seats before Mass

At the conclusion of the Mass, and having greeted the clergy and dignitaries, the Holy Father drove through the crowd in the square on his popemobile.  We were fortunate to again see him from a short distance!

We stayed in the square for his Angelus message and blessing before walking home and getting gelato on the way to celebrate the Feast Day.

A day of praying with the Apostles

We visited and prayed at a number of Churches today, many of them holding the tombs of the Apostles.

In the Church of the Twelve Apostles, Sr. Veronica praying at the tomb of Saints Philip and James the Lesser

On the stairway leading to the crypt where the Apostles are buried

Sr. MaryClare venerating the relics of early Roman martyrs

It has been a truly Franciscan day!  The Franciscan sisters spotted the Franciscan symbol  above the doors of XII Apostles Church,  which was fitting on the anniversary of their perpetual vows!

The heavenly view of the ceiling at St. Ignatius of Loyola's Church

Here we are visiting the Pantheon.  It was an amazing experience to see the change from a Pagan temple to a Christian place of worship.

The roof of the Pantheon

The view as we leave the Pantheon

The Church of St. Bartholomew, which holds the relics of St. Bartholomew, St. Adelbert and the martyrs of the 20th and 21st  centuries.

Under the altar is the tomb of St. Bartholomew

The nave of St. Bartholomew's Basilica

The relics of the martyrs of Africa and Madagascar

Dr. Cecilia Proverbio gave an amazing talk on the history of Christian art. 

Group picture with Dr. Cecilia

Papal Audience, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and a history of the City of Rome from the Jianiculum Hill

Today was a day of many travels to different parts of the City!  Although we took numerous bus rides, one Sister who has a Fitbit reported that we walked 6.4 miles today. Even with modern transportation we are apparently still able to experience some of the walking aspect of the ancient Roman pilgrimages.

We started with Mass at the Carmelite church of Santa Maria in Traspontina very near St. Peter's square. 

Santa Maria in Traspontina

After Mass, we hurried to join the line to enter St. Peter's Square and accompany the thousands of other pilgrims waiting to see the Holy Father, hear his words, and receive his blessing.  We were fortunate to get seats near the barricade on the center aisle.  At the beginning of the audience, the Popemobile drove very near to us and we were able to see Pope Francis from about 10 feet away!

What is the best way to get the Holy Father to stop and greet people longer near where you are standing?  Hold a baby up in the crowd!  About 10 rows in front of us there were two sweet toddlers who captured the Pope's attention to receive his blessing.

Pope Francis stopping to greet two babies near where we sat

After the audience, we wiggled our way out of the crowd and on to our next adventure!  

On the bus

Although not currently on the General Roman Liturgical Calendar, June 27th is historically the feast day of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  Sister Maria Socorro's feast day is today and we were very happy to be able to join her in making a pilgrimage to see the original image.

Image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

In front of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

The afternoon marked another trip the Janiculum hill above Trastevere to see the city of Rome and listen to a brief synopsis of its 3,000 year history from Father Luke Sweeney.

Overlooking the Janiculum with Father Sweeney

We took the scenic route home and enjoyed the fresh evening air as we walked down the Janiculum hill.  We even found a hidden staircase to shorten our trek back to the tram stop which took us home to the Domus.

At the Audience this morning, Pope Francis spoke at length about God's generosity to each of us, that He first blesses and wants to bless us always.  He asked each of us to reflect in our own hearts:  "'How many beautiful things has God done for me?' This is the question.  In silence, each one of us answers." (See full English translation of Italian text https://zenit.org/articles/general-audience-on-the-commandments-ii/) 

Certainly, today was filled with many beautiful gifts of God, and we take with us in our hearts and prayers all our loved ones, those in need, and those who have asked us to pray for them.

Chiesa Nuova, St. Agnes, Piazza Navona and More

Yesterday evening we had the opportunity to visit the Jewish Quarter of the city.  While there, we were able to see the plaques on the sidewalk in front of house doorways commemorating the Roman Jews who were taken from their homes by the Nazis on October 16, 1943.

This morning, we went to Mass at Chiesa Nuova, the church built by St. Philip Neri.

St. Philip's body placed below the altar

We had the privilege of having a tour of St. Philip's rooms by one of the Oratorians, the community founded by St. Philip Neri.

This life size wooden "flat Philip," the original from mid 16th century, preceded his successors Stanley and Francis.  St. Philip was known for his pilgrimages throughout Rome.  When he was too old to personally participate, his fellow Oratorians and the youth made this cut out figure to join them.

Sr. Mary Katherine seen with the Cross held by St. Philip Neri at his death.

Above the altar where St. Philip Neri celebrated Mass is a reliquary that holds St. Philip's chalice and paten.

We visited the Church of St. Agnes, a treasure marking Christian witness, along the side of present day Piazza Navona, which was the ancient Roman Circus Agonalis in which Christians were martyred.

The spire of the Church of St. Agnes
 is seen to the right of the obelisk. 
Can you spot the two Franciscans?

The afternoon was marked by a jaunt to the Pontifical North American college (NAC), where we picked up tickets to the Papal events this week.  

A view from the roof of the NAC of St. Peter's Basilica.

Yet another photo opportunity with a Swiss guard!!!

Visiting Saint Peter's and the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith

After attending Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at St. Peter's Basilica, Sr. M. Hanah gave us a special tour. Sister had been trained as a tour guide during her time missioned in Rome and so was able to provide some interesting details we might not have heard. Sister also added a spiritual component to her tour. For instance, the statues in St. Peter's on the upper part of the church are larger than the statues on the lower level so the faithful can see them better and feel more welcomed.

The façade of St.Peter's Basilica

The Holy Doors that are only opened during a Jubilee Year. Pope Francis also had the door opened during the Year of Mercy

After a short break, we had the opportunity to visit the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The CDF, as it is more commonly known, deals mainly with questions of doctrine, discipline, and marriage that occur throughout the world. Msgr. Kennedy, who works at the CDF, graciously spent an hour with us, explaining the way the CDF is organized and provided an explanation of how the Congregation operates to help the Holy Father fulfill his mission of protecting the integrity of the Catholic Faith.

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Waiting for Msgr. Kennedy

Who doesn't want to have their picture taken with a Swiss Guard!?