Summer Program of Renewal 2018: Lanciano, Manoppello, SS Cosmas and Damien, Saint Mary Major and so much more...

Tuesday, July 3

We started out early for a day trip outside of Rome. Our first stop was Lanciano where we venerated the Eucharistic Miracle. In the 8th century, a priest who had doubts about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist was saying Mass when the host became flesh and blood. Recent scientific studies (1971) show that the host that became flesh is actual heart muscle and the blood is real blood. Both the host and the blood are the same type, AB. The fragments have been left in their natural state for 12 centuries without decaying. We were able to be close to the reliquary and spent time in prayer.

The reliquary at Lanciano.

A picnic at a rest area before heading to see the Holy Face in Manoppello.

Our next stop was the beautiful basilica containing the veil of the Holy Face in Manoppello. This veil was placed over the face of Jesus in the tomb, and is distinct from the veil that St. Veronica used to wipe the face of Jesus on the way of the Cross.

Basilica at Manopello

The veil is one of three cloths that covered the face of Jesus. One is in Spain, the other is the Shroud of Turin and the last is in Manopello. Looked at directly, the veil is clear and no image is visible on it, but stepping slightly to the side, an image of a man appears whose eyes are open. It is believed that this image appeared at the moment of Christ's Resurrection. We spent an hour in prayer before the holy image.

The image of the Holy Face

Wednesday, July 4. Happy Independence Day!
After Mass at the Church of the Gesù, we walked to the Church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian. These twin brothers were doctors living in Syria during the persecution under Diocletian. Since the brothers offered their medical services for free, they were noticed by imperial officials, arrested and martyred for their faith. Several years later, theses martyrs' relics were taken to Rome. We were given a very informative tour by Brother Mark, a Franciscan whose brothers and priests have care of the church. One of the many interesting items he showed us was a precipio. A precipio is a nativity set that has many scenes showing contemporary events to remind us that Jesus came in time and for all times.

The mosaic in the apse of the Church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian installed in 525 AD

The precipio was a gift from the King of Naples to the Franciscans who live at the church.

With our tour guide, Brother Mark, TOR.

Next, we went to St. Mary Major, one of the four major basilicas in Rome.

A relic in St. Mary Major, containing pieces of the crib of Christ.

We returned to the Domus and were pleased to see the July 4th decorations that the Sisters of the house had so kindly prepared for us!

Msgr. Kennedy, from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, spent the afternoon with us explaining how the Code of Canon Law applies to religious life.