A brief description of Wednesday, our last day in Rome -
We finally found a fire truck for Tony in the Vatican. It's as small as all the other vehicles around Italy.


Here we are waiting to go through security to see the Pope.
And here's one of about a million pictures we took of Pope Benedict. He speaks Italian, English, Spanish, German, French and some other language I already forgot. Amazing!
After the Pope, Tony and I ran (and I mean that literally) so we could make it to the top of St. Peter's before our bus left for the afternoon tour. We had one hour to get through security and up 530 steps to the cupola (the very tip top of St. Peter's Basilica). We cheated and took the elevator part of the way, but we still had over 200 steps to go. I had a minor meltdown at the very top - the staircase kept getting smaller and smaller, and it was one way only. Luckily, Tony pushed me and the view from the top was spectacular.
After lunch (which Tony and I had to eat on the bus) we headed out to see the other three major Basilicas - St. Mary Maggiore, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul outside the Walls (where we had Mass). I'm not posting any pictures, because I'm not sure where to begin with the beauty. One final shot, though. This picture is from a minor church near one of the basilicas. They are the "holy steps". They were put there by Helena, the mother of Constatine. They are believed to be the steps from Pilate's palace that Jesus walked several times during his trial. There are blood stains on them that you can see through the glass. The only way you can ascend them is on your knees. That could be one of the most memorable moments of the trip.

Tuesday

Well, we are on the downhill slide here in Rome. As nice as it has been to have someone cook every meal, I am about ready to be home!

This morning we went to St. Peters for the official tour. We were able to tour the Sistine Chapel and see Michaelangelo's famous work. Guess what - no picture taking allowed again. We also saw where there is a piece of wood from the cross, the spear that was used to pierce the side of Jesus, and the head of St. Andrew. All of them are relics in the basilica.

This is a picture of the Swiss guard. They are the Pope's own army. Whenever a priest walks by, they salute!

After lunch, we took off by bus to see the Colliseum and some Roman ruins. Unfortunately, we did not have time to tour them, just to get out and look. We left there and went to the catacombs for Mass. It is a good thing that I am only a little claustrophobic! We were way underground, and it was a tight squeeze. But it was amazing to celebrate Mass and reflect on the persecution the first of Christs followers endured so that we can freely practice our faith today.

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at St. Peter in Chains, a basilica that houses the chains that held Peter, and an angel set him free. Everywhere we go, there is such history that its hard to take it all in.

On a lighter note, we are teaching our bus driver English. He is not very trusting of us! He seems to think we might teach him something bad!
We are leaving for dinner soon. All we seem to do in Italy is eat!!!!

Sunday and Monday

Yesterday (Sunday) we left San Giovanni and took a long, long, long bus ride. We stopped over in Subiaco to see the monastary where St. Benedict started his order. It was way up a mountain which was very very frightening on the tour bus. Then, the bus could not go any further and we had to get out and walk. It was well worth it, though, because we also got to see the oldest painting of St. Francis, painted by a contemporary, so it was like a photograph. We celebrated Mass at 3:30 in the afternoon, which was at the same time as the 9:30 Mass at home, which was neat.


Then we headed into Rome. We walked to dinner, and on the way we took this picture of Tony and Fr. Paul. Vatican City is actually an independent country, so the two of them have a foot in two different countries - one in the Vatican and one in Italy.

Our hotel in Rome used to be the palace of Cardinal Cesi, and we have an unbelievable view of St. Peters.

Today (Monday), most of the group headed to Pompeii on a trip and we stayed with a small group in Rome. We were able have Mass in the chapel closest to where St. Peter is buried.

I had my first view of Michangelo's famous Pieta - absolutely breathtaking! Then we walked all over the place. We saw the Trevi Fountain and the Parthenon. At the fountatin, Tony and I threw in three coins each. There's a tradition that says if you do, you'll return to Rome. We also did some shopping and a lot of eating. Here's something fun - there are fountains of drinkable water all over the city! Drink up - We went to Santa Maria sopa Minerva - where St. Catherine's body is. There is a line for the computer, so I will sign off and update soon! Here's a parting shot - the Pope's office are the two windows on the left and his bedroom is the one on the right. He's still up!

Friday and Saturday

Ciao! Unfortunately, some bad news. I am unable to post pictures from Rome, so you will have to use your imagination until I get home!

On Friday, we left Assisi and headed for the coast. We went to Loreto, where the Santa Casa is located. This is the house that is believed to belong Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in Nazareth. The legend is that is was carried by angels to protect it from the wars in the Holy Land. In actuality, it was moved by the Angeli family. It was a very profound moment to walk in the home of the Holy Family. Of course, it has a church built over the outside bricks, so the picture below doesn't look like a stone home. We also were able to have a Latin Mass in the crypt of the church.


We left there and headed for Montesilvano, where Tony and I were the only brave (or crazy) ones in our group to actually get in the Adriatic Sea. But when will I be here again???!!!
Our hotel was gorgeous, right on the ocean. Amazing views!!

On Saturday, we headed up the coast to Lanciano, which is the home of a Eucharistic miracle. The host and wine there turned into actual human material and has held up so it can be viewed.


When we left there, we continued to San Giovanni Rotondo. After having heard my grandfather speak of attending Masses with Padre Pio, it was quite the experience to be there. We were blessed with a relic of St. Pio, and had Mass at his tomb. It was so moving!

We enjoyed quite a dinner at our hotel. There was a Sicilian couple there celebrating an anniversary. We all sang them Happy Birthday, but they didnt know the difference.

I will catch up on Sunday and today later - Tony needs to use the computer and we are heading up to the cupola on top of St. Peters!!!!!!

Catching Up

Today is Monday, and we arrived in Rome last night. Thankfully, this hotel does have internet access and Tony was able to borrow a cord, so check back this evening (afternoon for you!) and I hope to be able to post pictures again. If not, I will at least give you a written synopsis. Here is a little preview: since the last time I posted pictures, I have been in the Adriatic Sea, climbed a mountain, and been at the tomb of St. Padre Pio. Last night after we arrived, I took an evening walk around Vatican City. We can see the Vatican from our hotel. A large part of our group is taking a day trip to Pompeii, so Fr. Paul and those few of us staying here are headed to St. Peters for Mass in the crypt. Wow!!!!!

Sorry!

On Friday night we spent the evening in Montesilvano on the shores of the Adriatic. Our hotel did not have internet access. Last night in San Giovanni Rotondo, there was only one computer. I should be able to post more pictures when we get to Rome tonight!

Thursday

What an exciting end to my evening to find a message from my class! I asked today whether or not there is the famous statue of St. Francis and the wolf in Assisi, and I learned that the event actually occurred in Gubbio, which is a town nearby.

This morning, we boarded our bus with Salvatore, our bus driver and Elena, our tour guide. We took a two hour bus ride through the region of Tuscany, headed for the town of Siena. Tuscany is known for it's sunflower oil, so we saw empty fields that are apparently filled with sunflowers during the spring.

When we got to Siena, we headed to the cathedral of St. Dominic for Mass. There is a very cool story that goes with this church. When St. Catherine died, she was buried in Rome. The people of Siena wanted her back in their city, so they went and took her head for their church. Today we saw her head - we'll see her body when we get to Rome.

After visiting the church, we had some time in Siena for lunch. Elena told us that Tuscany is know for wild boar, so that's what Tony ordered. It was actually very good - it tasted a little like pot roast. We also had panforte for dessert, which is like fruit cake. It wasn't as good as my gelato yesterday, that's for sure!
The square in the city is gorgeous. We came across several great stores. Look at me here!!!



After Siena, we stopped in a town near Assisi and toured an olive oil plant. It was very neat - we were able to see how olive oil is pressed and also got to sample some. Yum!

Just as we're getting used ordering in Italian and to dodging the traffic in Assisi (Italians are terrible drivers and the all drive little bitty cars. They don't stop for anything!) we're packing up and heading to Montesilvano and Loreto tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Wednesday night update

We had another fabulous dinner. I got to try veal for the first time (it was excellent) and Tony was thrilled with his tiramisu. We went for another walk after dinner and went all over Assisi. We were lucky enough to stop into a church where Eucharistic adoration was going on. You never know what you're going to find here when you venture off the beaten path!

Wednesday

Another amazing day in Assisi! After breakfast, we headed to the Basilica for a private Mass at the tomb of St. Francis. It gave me chills to sing the Prayer of Peace for the closing song. After Mass, we toured the entire church. Unfortunately, the large churches in Italy don't allow you to take pictures inside, so I'll have to show everyone the book we purchased. Another highlight of the Basilica were relics of St. Francis, including one of his robes.


After the Basilica, we boarded the bus and went to the lower town of Assisi, where we toured St. Mary of the Angels. Inside, there is a very tiny church that is the building that St. Francis repaired when he believed God wanted to him to fix the physical building, not the followers of Christ. It was phenomenal. We also saw the place where St. Francis died. Unfortunately, we were also not allowed to take pictures there.

When we left lower Assisi, we came back to the church of St. Clare. There, we saw the San Damiano cross that spoke to St. Francis, as well as the tomb of St. Clare. Then, we finally got to eat lunch on our own in Assisi.


Tony and I had a great lunch, even though I'm not sure what I ordered. I just pointed in the deli at something that looked good! We followed it up with some gelato - Italian ice cream - yummy!
We had some free time after lunch, so like the nerds we are, Tony and I sought out more churches. We got to see the site where St. Francis' family lived, which is now a church, as well as the site where he was born. I also found a church called "San Antonio" - St. Anthony! There was a school there as well. I lit a candle for all our students at the statue of St. Anthony.


We left the center of Assisi and headed to the hermitage. It's a place up in the mountain where St. Francis and his followers would go to fast and pray. Now there's a monastery for monks, but in St. Francis' day the would stay in caves. We saw St. Francis' cave, but it was a tight squeeze! We also saw the tree that St. Francis gave his famous speech to the birds under.


After such a busy day, we've had a couple of hours before dinner. Tony and I went back to the Basilica and I got holy cards for all the first graders. It was quite the experience - the priest spoke only Italian and Spanish. I spoke to him in Spanish, and he thought I wanted the prayer cards in Spanish. It all worked out in the end, though, and Tony and I placed the cards on the tomb of St. Francis, which makes them third class relics. Then we did some shopping - now I'm starving! Walking in the footsteps of St. Francis today has been an indescribable experience. I'd love to post more pictures if I get the time - Ciao!

Tuesday night

Thought we'd turn in for the night after dinner, but we decided to take a walk with Fr. Paul and Fr. Naylor instead. Assisi is an amazing old town. There was absolutely no one out but us - we had the run of the streets. We roamed up to the Basilica of St. Francis, where I got to take some stunning night shots. It's so quiet here, and the old buildings and gates look like they belong in a movie. Sleep tight!