Free Day in Rome

Thursday was an unstructured day our last day in Rome.  However, there was some work to be done sorting material that had been given to pilgrims to the Canonisation.  So Sian and I went with other sisters to do that first.  We took a taxi - we've done that a bit here and I could get quite used to it. The driver took us a different and very efficient way and we got great views of St Peter's - shame we couldn't take any photos.  Anyway we arrived early so got to have a lovely coffee at a local cafe.  I met some interesting fish.

Then we had a great time working with the sisters doing what had to be done before meeting Jill for lunch.  Next up was shopping which was very interesting - Sian bought a leather handbag and small things for little people at home.  I tried to by a Roma T-shirt but they just don't do them in my size. Because we are going to help the postulator (The Church lawyer who worked to get Mary MacKillop canonised) tomorrow this was farewell to Rome.  A little sad but excited about coming home.

This was the theory anyway, however after dinner Sian decided to go see the lights so headed back with a friend to see the Trivi fountain and walk the streets to soak up the atmosphere.  Wonderful.

So tomorrow: pack, help Maria and head for home.  See you soon

Another Papal Event

Today we headed back to the Vatican to see Pope Benedict.  Well not personally there were thousands of other people in the square.  We had to wait a long, long time.  These Joephites like to get there early but we did get great seats close to where the Pople passed TWICE.  The first time Sian shut her camera off rather than take a photo but the next one she got was really quite good.

Everything was said many times because they did it in 12 different languages this did not make for a short event but did give the sense of the universal Church.  The sisters and other pilgrims that have come for the canonisation were welcomed and they all got up and cheered.  They like the blue scarfs the cameras honed in on the sisters and you could see them on the big screen.  Then in the Pope's little speech in English he mentioned the sisters again.  I think they like hearing thier name and the words Saint Mary MacKillop they go a little mad when they hear them.

  When it was all over it was more than time for lunch so we headed to one of the local pizza places for pizza and rosa.  We joined a group of  Victorians and had a great laugh.  Then we were off exploring to some of the not so well known places in Rome.  San Angelo's was fasinating which led to a walk by the Tiber a refreshing and enjoyable stroll in the sun.  Some interesting but not so well known Churches caught our fancy.  And then there were the Spanish Steps and the throngs of people milling around having photos taken and general enjoyed the Roman atmosphere.  The afternoon concluded with a stroll through the elite shopping area where they do not have prices in the window!   Here I am in some famous spots though the system is only letting me upload non adapted photos so will have to show some off when I get home. 

Tired bear says hi

Big day today we went to Assisi lots of time on the bus and a wonderful experience seeing beautiful art and hearing inspiring stories but too tired to write much so just a couple of photos.

Thanksgiving and fun

Because Sian had offered to help at the Church this morning it was an early start (well for holiday time it was early).  Arriving at St Pauls outside the wall I was fostered out to another sister so that Sian could find volunteers to help put the booklets on the chairs, sometimes she is such a teacher and then act as usher.  This meant that she greeted some important people and showed them to thier places, checked tickets, explained to tour guides that Missa was about to begin and at communion time helped Bishop Campbell from Dunedin give out communion. 

Mass was wonderful, the sisters all walked in together which was very moving.  People took thier photos and greeted and smiled at them as they walked by.  Great singing lead by ACU choir.  The chaplain from Sian's campus is one of the coordinators.  Cardinal Pell's homily was stirring and we enjoyed the taste of kiwi with a prayer of the faithful in Maori and  iwi taking part in the presentation of the gifts.

As we left the Mass we met heaps of people we knew.  Bishop John was once again around as was Bishops Denis and Colin. I had my photo taken with a friend of Sian Bernard Keilly who is the priest at the Cathedral in Auckland.  I think that because he has that important job he is called monsieneur but we just called him Bernard.

We then headed back to the city of Roma to become tourists.  As I want to come back the Trevi fountain was an important stop off.  First up required lunch and Jill joined us in a quaint little pizza place that had good cheap food, didn't charge to sit at a table and the toilets were clean - I mean what more can a bear ask for.

There were lots of Josephites when we got to the fountain so we helped with taking photos. I have a good eye. Mind you I did require a little help with getting money to throw in the fountain.  Thank goodness Sian was there. After coin throwing were heading to meet Bishop John and pick up a pack to take home with us when we bumped into the New Zealand provincial.  She took rather a fancy to me if I do say so myself and insisted that a picture was taken.

The Big Day

We had an early start having to get up at 5.30 to get to St Peters in time to find a seat.  However Sian and I were lucky as we were in the choir so had reserved seats up by the Pope.  Having had a quick practice we then que jumped and got into the Piazza.  Walking up the stairs the sisters were treated like movie stars with the many groups of Australians cheering them on.

The ceremony started at  9am with the six 'Saints to be' having thier life stories told and some of thier sayings presented.  This was followed by a song reflecting something of the blesseds life.  Then Mass began with the canonisation rite.  As it was all in Latin we had to listen with great care for Mary's name so that we could give a cheer and smile at the Pope.  Who is by the way looking rather old.  The Gloria concluded the canonisation and Mass continued.  Except for the first reading everything was in a language other than English so we had to concentrate and concentrate hard but it was worth it all very special.  We even had a Swiss guard protecting us.

It was really exciting around St Peters after Mass.  Lots of people from all around the world, happy and friendly.  However it was all very tiring and we were glad to get on the bus to go back to the hotel.  We have a party to go to.

Meandering and Celebrating

Well what a day Saturday was.  First up was the excitment of seeing Mary MacKillop on the front of St Peters in readiness for the canonisation tomorrow.

Sian and I joined a group of friends to explore some of  the special Churches in Rome.  We headed to St Clements which is incredible.  A beautifully restored Church where Mary MacKillop often heard Mass and recieved support and guidance from the resident priests. There are layers of archelogical findings beneath that eventually lead to a early Roman gathering place. Very interesting indeed.

 Then we went to St Paul of the Cross.  Got there at a rather interesting time the bride was about to arrive. Still we had time to gasp at the wonderful decorations of the ceilings and walls, not to mention the remainders of Paul of the Cross under the altar.  Mary MacKillop was given a fragment of his bones to help her cause.
Then an exciting ride in a taxi that had brought a wedding guest to St Peters to meet up with Jill.  Having been given some money for something special they headed for lunch.  The real thing antipasto, pizza and a great red wine!

There was  a quick trip to the hotel to get glammed up and then we were back in the city for an amazing vigil.  It began with  offical speeches that gave the context of Mary as a woman for the contempoary world whose legacy included the genorosity of the Sisters of St Joseph, a multimedia presentation of Mary's life followed.  It was stunning - using video, music, drama it told the basic story in a moving and creative way. The evening concluded with prayer around the cross that had travelled Australia.  Included was the litany of Mary MacKillop and lots of singing.  A fitting and moving conclusion to the evening. Many a tear was shed

Leaving we met John Dew who invited a few kiwis out for an anticipatory celebration drink and nibble which rounded off the evening well. 
.

A busy day or two

The first two full days in Rome and have been exciting and busy.  Having had a good long sleep on Wednesday evening Thursday started full of anticipation.  Breakfast over the Sisters and I got on a bus and headed to the Vatican.  There was a slight delay in getting the guide but wow once he got there we had a sensual treat as we were guided throug the best of what this spectacular museum has to offer.

This is me in the Courtyard of the Pinecone in the Vatican a great modern structure of the complexity of the creative world behind me.
Having visited the tombs of the Popes we headed up to the huge and magnificant St Peter's Bascillica the one that you see in all the photos.  Thought of Ju's Nain as we looked in wonder at the Pieta which even amongst so many pieces of art is truely sensational.  I just felt for Mary and her son.
Official touring over Sian, I and another Josephite headed over the Tiber to go and do a good deed helping with some pligrimage stuff for other travellers.  The vague instructions didn't help and we weren't wanted!! So we explored St Ignatius including Francis Xavier's hand - really it is ring and all, the Pantheon - why doesn't the rain come in the hole?  and how come noone seems to know?  And avoid the sellers in the Piazza Novana.
Proudly I led the team on the first public bus journey without a hitch I might add which gave Sian time have practice for her item on Sunday and  to change to join Archbishop John for dinner in the city.  She had a great time but I wouldn't know because she left me behind!

Friday there was a real buzz as the sisters got ready for formal occassion.  Shirt, jacket and Sian wore a hat very smart.  Morning prayer for the sisters was in the Roman Methodist Church and was beautiful, very moving.  It was followed by the Australian Ambassador to the Holy See hosting morning tea. Lemingtons he had made himself were part of the food available.  There were also Aussie government big wigs although Kevin Rudd was in Brussels.

A lovely walk through Rome to the Vatican occured next.  The sisters looked so bright with thier attractive aqua scarfs worn various ways - Sian had hers on her hat and got lots of positve comments. Having admired the new fountain in the gardens that is dedicated to St Joseph we enjoyed a lovely lunch at the Vatican cafe before returning to the hotel to get ready for the concert and art display this evening.