Mass at the Tomb of St. Pope John Paul II and other Adventures

Our day of adventures began with Mass at the tomb of St. John Paul II, celebrated by Cardinal Stafford, located in a side chapel in St. Peter's Basilica. After Mass, the sisters split up into pairs or small groups to go to various locations around the Vatican and the City of Rome. 

Tomb of St. Pope John Paul II

A few sisters braved the long climb to the top of the cupola or the gigantic dome of St. Peter's Basilica. When reaching the first level, the view is from a walkway inside the base of the cupola.  The size of the mosaics can be viewed from a different perspective than from the floor of the Basilica.   The images and words are large for people to be able to view it from the ground.  As the viewing distance increases that size of everything increases so things do not appear as far away as they are. 

View inside St. Peter's across the base of the cupola

 From the top level of the cupola, the view is only on the outside of the Basilica.  The view includes the city of Rome, the Vatican Gardens and all of the visible parts of the Vatican City.

Pope Francis's coat of arms located in the Vatican Gardens that is created by plants and flowers of various colors.  

A view of the door to the living quarters of Pope Francis

A couple groups of sisters went to Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini or the famous "Bone Church" of Rome.  The church and the attached crypt and museum is administered by the Capuchin Franciscans.  The church is the home of the relics and remains of St. Justin, Martyr and the Capuchins St. Felix de Cantalice and St. Cryspin.  The lower level contains a museum of Capuchin history and the crypt holding the rooms of the bones of some 4,000 friars. 

The Tomb of St. Felix de Cantalice at Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini

After the visit to Santa Maria della Concezione,a couple sisters journeyed further to the  small Carmelite church of Santa Maria della Vittoria which is the home of the famous Bernini statue of the Transverbertion of St. Teresea of Avila. Unfortunately, the church is undergoing renovations and the statue can only be seen through the scaffolding.

The Transverberation of St. Teresea of Avila at Santa Maria Della Vittoria