Pilgrims have to eat!

Every one of us is blessed to participate in this event with our faith community.  To see all of the different churches, many magnificent in their scale, others closer to the people.  And the breathtaking art and the rich history of the people who have come before us, it’s humbling.

But as one of our group observed, “pilgriming is hard.”  At least in this place in this time it is hot, the sun is beating down, we’re walking through large crowds, wary of pickpockets and a little jet lagged.

One thing that is always there to look forward to is the food!  There are so many little places along the way that have little snacks or full-blown meals.  Great opportunities to recharge and talk together about what we’ve seen and what’s before us.

Off to Assisi

Having finished the Seven Churches pilgrimage popularized by St. Philip Neri, we are today heading north to see the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.  Lead by our trusty guide, Saint (to-be-for-handling-all-adversities-with-grace) Christopher of Westford, we are all taking the train from Rome.

Il maestro:

The pilgrims:

Scala Santa

• 
  

At the end of day two, we learned about the Holy Stairs- Scala Santa- located close to Basilica San Giovani in Laterno. These stairs are required to be climbed on your knees and a prayer recited on each of the 28 steps. 
Almost all of the pilgrims participated in this experience- and while it was painful- it was meaningful and memorable! 
In the letters of Saint Paul of the Cross, it states:

• Jesus’ pain is the miracle of miracles of God’s love. 
  
• Through daily meditation upon Jeses Christ’s Passion you will learn charity and patience.
• It is the door that leads the soul to an intimate union with God to interior reflection and to the most sublime contemplation. 
• In essence, the mercy that God gives is the cross. He gives us afflictions, trials, and tribulations of every sort, so as to bring us closer to his devine son Jesus to then place us in the kingdom of heaven.
  

( Quote: Santiario fella Scala Santa- Piazza S. Giovanni Laterno, Roma Italy.) 

Walking around Rome

While Rome is a large city, there are so many places to see, we’re walking between most of our destinations.  And walking in 85-95 degree heat in the sun means we’re going through a *lot* of water.  Fortunately, all throughout the city, there are frequent water stops, where we’ll find free-flowing faucets, a tradition dating back to Ancient Rome and the aqueducts.

We fill up our water bottles and if we want to drink straight from them you can cover the spot and the water comes out a hole in the top of a pipe, like at a water fountain.  A water fountain with Herculean water pressure.  This invariably leads to hijinks.

But it’s hot enough that nobody minds getting a little wet.  Even with malice aforethought.

Quo Vadis?

“Where are you going?” is the English translation of the Latin question.  Just outside the Aurelian Wall is the Church of Domine Quo Vadis.  When St. Peter was fleeing his persecution in Rome, this is the place where he had a vision of Jesus going the other way—reentering the city.

When he saw Jesus walking he asked, “Where are you going, Lord?” and Jesus replied, “Back to Rome, to be crucified again.”  This gave Peter the strength to turn around and face his persecution and death.  

More Day 2

 As we mentioned earlier, our first stop of the day was Santa Maria Maggiore, one of our major papal basilicas early in the morning.

One striking feature of the church is found underneath the main altar - a reliquary holding what is believed to be wood of the manger from the nativity of Jesus.  It is a beautiful sight to behold and many of our pilgrims took the opportunity to pray before it.

We also learned that St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order, celebrated his first Mass as a priest here on Christmas Day in 1538.

From here we went to St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, the only one of our pilgrimage destinations significantly damaged during World War II, which was due to its proximity to the rail lines and therefore to allied bombing.  

One of the striking things when one is upon the dais where the altar is how the people involved in the rebuilding of the church used so much of the stonework from the historic church, piecing it together not as it was but as it would work now, with what they had.  An entire "layer" of the decorative work looked like this:

You can see that all of these pieces, damaged but not destroyed, were able to be re-used together to rejuvenate something broken into something new.

Also, as we entered and exited the church there was a devotional to Padre Pio.  Because so many of our community's parishoners are devoted to learning more about our faith through the works of Padre Pio, a prayer was said for all of them and their further spiritual growth at this devotional.

This only gets us to about 10:45 AM!  We will tell you about the rest of our day soon.

 

Santa Maria Maggiore

So many amazing memories are being created daily in Rome! 

Today’s adventures started with a walk to Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, a majestic spot right outside the city walls.  We started the visit with an opening prayer, Psalm 102, and a reading from the Holy Gospel according to St Luke.  This church was formed as a result of the dreams of Pope Liberia’s (353-366) and a local man named Giovanni. The dreams indicated they should build a church in honor of Virgin Mary and so they did!  Pope Pius the IX statue is kneeling in adoration and pieces of the crib of Jesus are also displayed. 

Beautiful, peaceful, special place. 

Found this painting particularly touching as a mom and below posting a photo of three moms in the group!