Thorns Among the Roses-Part 6

      Today was one of those days we had to remind ourselves that we were in fact, on a pilgrimage and not a luxury trip: offer it up and don’t complain. It’s not always easy, but oh, so rewarding. This can really help you to grow in holiness, if you choose to do so.

     We had to wake up by 2:15A.M. to get dressed and eat before our departure to the airport which was two and a half hours away. Two flights were planned with a long lay over in-between. Although we had some quiet time while flying, the airports were bustling and of course, the usual security lines and protocol added frustration.

     We didn’t land in Rome until 4:15 P.M., so by the time we went through security, walked to our bus and drove through rush hour traffic, it was a good bit later than planned. 

     When we arrived at our hotel, we had already missed the Mass that was scheduled for us. Much to our delight, we were invited to attend the parish Mass that evening. 

     We were off and running in no time. Sacred Heart Church was walking distance from our hotel. We were greeted by the pastor who was delighted to see us. He spoke very little English and suggested that our priest celebrate, and he would be the con-celebrant. 

     It was another beautiful church, with three side altars. The first altar was devoted to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the second to St. Michael and the third, a beautiful life-sized bronze piece of the Sorrowful Mother, holding the hand of her dead Son, Jesus. He is lying on a slab, as two angels cover their eyes in deep grief and unbelief.  

     We were seated and Mass began: It felt wonderful to slow down, collect myself, and receive Our Lord in Holy Communion. I thanked and praised God that we had arrived safely. We would have dinner, unpack and then sleep, to begin our days exploring the Eternal City!

     We left early morning to walk to St. Peter’s Square, where we would have an audience with the Pope. As we walked, I couldn’t but take notice that Rome had a different feel to the many places we had already visited. There were umbrella stone pine trees, olive trees, palms and cypress; lots of traffic with crazy drivers; ancient buildings and monuments, and then of course, Vatican City!

     Vatican City is an independent city-state. The Pope is the sovereign of the state. They have their own flag, coat of arms, post office and police force, and of course, we can’t forget the Swiss Guards, who have been protecting our popes since 1506.  

     As we ‘left’ Rome, and approached Vatican City, there were low wooden barricades surrounding the area. You could not enter, without passing through security. Our excitement began to build, as we could see St. Peter’s Square and the beautiful buildings surrounding it. 

     After being cleared by security, we walked over to get a seat for the audience. Our guide told us to choose a seat right by the barriers. The Pope would pass by on the other side of the barriers in the Popemobile. We were all very excited! The area seats about 10,000 pilgrims and it although it was still very early, there were thousands of people already clamoring about. 

     The time had finally arrived, and the place was packed! Jonathan spotted Pope Francis. The crowd was electrified, as the Pope buzzed around waving and blessing people. He had them stop for a little girl, who rode around St. Peter’s Square with him. She was smiling from ear to ear! He passed by two times, and we snapped his picture. 

     He then went up to the altar area and where he was informed about different groups of pilgrims who were present. The Pope then addressed the pilgrims, and it was translated in different languages. The audience ended with Francis bestowing a special blessing upon all present. Pope Francis was very engaging with the crowd, and they responded enthusiastically!

     We had about an hour of free time to do what we wanted. We decided to visit the Church of the Holy Spirit. 

     It is a church, built in the 12th century. Since 1994, it has been the official sanctuary of Divine Mercy. There is a shrine in honor of St. John Paul II, accompanied by a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, who the pope claimed saved his life when an assassination attempt failed to kill him. It occurred on the feast day of Our Lady, May 13, 1981. The pope later placed the bullet used in the attempt, into the crown of Our Lady which is housed in the Fatima Museum. 

     In the shrine for John Paul II is also a first-class relic: it is to the left of his portrait for pilgrims to venerate. He was the pope to promote Divine Mercy and canonized St. Faustina on April 30, 2000.

     There is a shrine to honor St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy Devotion. A beautiful statue of St. Faustina, along with a first-class relic, and a replica of the Image of Christ which Jesus told Faustina to have painted and venerate in her chapel, and throughout the world. 

     As I prayed at that shrine, my mind turned to my sister Sarah. During her illness, when asked what people could do for her, she always asked that they pray the Divine Mercy chaplet for her. Sarah believed in the mercy of God and would often say, “My Jesus, I trust in You:” the words Jesus told Faustina to have inscribed on the bottom of the painting. Faustina is known as the Apostle of Divine Mercy. Her feast day is October 5.

     We left the shrine and walked towards the Tiber River. A huge fortress, the Castle of the Holy Angels, can be seen with a large statue of St. Michael: protecter of the Pope and Vatican City. 

     It was built originally as a tomb for Emperor Hadrian in 135A.D. and converted into a fortress in the 5th century. Toward the end of the 6th century, Pope Gregory the Great led a procession through the city to pray that the plague, which had killed thousands, would cease. When he looked up to the old mausoleum, he saw a vision of an angel waving his sword. The angel then placed it back in its sheath and the pope believed his prayers were answered. He then had a statue of St. Michael placed on top of the castle, which then became known as the Castle of the Holy Angel. 

     We walked through the narrow cobblestone streets filled with shops, restaurants and residences. We were on our way to the Pantheon. It was a former Roman Temple, built in 125 A.D., commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus. 

     It has been a Catholic Church since 609 A.D. It is massive building with Roman artifacts and Catholic statues and shrines. The Pantheon boasts of the largest dome that was ever built with unreinforced concrete. It is larger than the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.

     Outside the Pantheon is a large obelisk. It was brought by the Romans from Egypt to show their victory and power over the Egyptians. It represented the mighty power of the Roman Empire.

     We walked from there to the Trevi Fountain: it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous. It has been captured on film a number of times, but the movie 'Three Coins in a Fountain,' seems to be the most celebrated. There were hundreds of people filling the square, and many trying to throw a coin in the fountain, while making a wish. It was a popular spot also for picture taking. My husband took my picture as I made a wish and threw a coin. Our tour guide said it’s a very big fountain for a very small square. Nevertheless, “when in Rome.”

     We then rode to Scala Santa, the Holy Stairs. This is a building which houses, according to Church tradition, the Holy Stairs which lead to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem, on which Jesus walked on His way to His trial. They were brought to Rome, to be venerated, by St. Helena, in the fourth century. 

     Because of the millions of pilgrims who have venerated the stairs, they were encased in wood for protection in the 1700’s. You must climb the stairs on your knees. There are 28 stairs, and once you begin to ascend, you must finish. Pilgrims usually pray as they kneel on each step and meditate on Christ’ passion. 

     I wanted to be able to do this devotion from the time I had heard about it but was apprehensive that it may be too difficult. I had prayed on our way to the site and asked all of heaven to help me to overcome any difficulty. 

     When we arrived, I took a deep breath and decided that God would assist me. I would do it!

     I was not alone in my effort: there were many in our group, and other pilgrims who got in line to ascend these holy, blessed stairs. It was a very sacred time. I prayed on each step for a specific family member or friend and pondered the love and sufferings of Our Lord. I cherished the fact that I could touch the marble stairs through the wood and could venerate the blood of Christ that could be seen through acrylic circular disks. Although it was physically difficult because each pilgrim wanted to pray on each step, and you could not go faster than the person ahead of you, realizing Whose footsteps you were following, brought sweetness to your sacrifice. 

     As I reached the top, I began to praise God and thank all of heaven for enabling me to accomplish this holy act. A smile came over my face, as I stood up and walked to venerate the relics of the cross of Jesus and thank Him for His great love for me.

     Our next destination was St. John Lateran. It is the oldest Basilica in Rome, consecrated in the year 324A.D. It houses the cathedra or chair of the Roman bishop, who is the Pope. It has the title of the Mother Church of the Catholic people. 

     It is a very beautiful and massive church: filled with statues of the Apostles and many Roman artifacts. A number of Popes tombs are there.

     We left to visit another basilica, St. Mary Major. The building was begun in 432 and was consecrated on August 5, 434A.D., to the Virgin Mary by Pope Sixtus III. 

     The golden carved ceiling is magnificent, and the mosaics are stunning. Under the high altar of the basilica is the Crypt of the Nativity. It holds the wood from the crib of the nativity of Jesus. A statue of a smiling Pope Sixtus III, kneeling in front of the relic in veneration, is present. St. Jerome, who translated the Bible into Latin is buried, close to the relics of the Nativity.

     We were blessed to end our day with the celebration of Mass on one of the side altars in the Basilica. It was a wonderful way to end our first full day in Rome. We couldn’t believe all that we were able to explore already, and looked with great anticipation to the treasured sites we would visit tomorrow!