I'll post what we did today later but here's our Italy Adventure! It's been a whirl wind last few days. I've felt like I've been in Italy a month and it's only been 4 days. Here's a list of some of the things we did: On Friday, we landed in Rome and took a bus to Assisi. Wonderful, peaceful, prayerful Assisi. I love this town. I would live in this town if I could. Besides the medieval architecture, there's so much history and spiritually in it. I've been to Assisi before, New Years of 2007/2008, and we stayed a long time there, so it felt like coming home. Our hotel was right next door to the first church and Holy Door we entered. This being the year of Mercy, you'll hear me talk a lot about the Holy Doors that are opened only during jubilee years. They are special doors inviting everyone to become pilgrims, journeying towards a new life. This being the Year of Mercy, we are called to a deeper understanding of what it means to be merciful. Friday night we got off the bus and walked straight to the Basilica of St, Mary of the Angels. The basilica is built over the Portiuncula, the first church St. Francis rebuilt, where St. Clare professed her vows to God and where St. Francis died. After we passed through the Portiuncula, we went straight to a side chapel where we said Mass. I was in my own little world. I was back in my favorite place ever walking in the footsteps of one of my spiritual role models. I needed a minute to collect my thoughts and prayers. The next day we explored the main town of Assisi. We first went to St. Francis Basilica. I was in heaven. I've been feeling rushed with travel, but when I stepped thorough those Holy Doors, I was right back to when I first began. We went straight to the tomb of St. Francis where we said Mass. We were walking on holy ground. His tomb is simple, just a rock column surrounded by some of his closest friends. Popes and Saints have visited him. Other religious leaders from different faiths have visited him. The poor have visited him. We are walking in those shoes. I was blessed to be able to be the lector at that mass. To do so, you have to stand very close to the tomb. I felt like the Little Brother was right there with his hand on my shoulder as if to give me the courage to proclaim the readings. I sat down and had to take a moment. When mass was done we went to the upper chapel and explored the wonderful frescos. One of my favorite artists is Giotto, who happened to be the artist who did most of the paintings. After the Basilica, we went to see the Basilica of St. Clare down the road. Assisi is a very small town And you can easily walk from one side of the town to the other in little time. Walking through the streets, memories flowed thorough me. I saw the main Piazza where I once celebrated New Years with the locals. I passed the little toy shop I on earth browsed through. I saw the church of St. Francis' parents. I love that city. St. Clare's is a more simple church, but in its simplicity you can get to the heart if Clare's calling: prayer. We first knelt in front of the original San Damiano crucifix, one that is said to have spoken to St. Francis to go "rebuild my church." The prayer before the crucifix was written in front of that cross. Throughout Assisi I found myself weeping silently before these holy images and saints. We're called to imitate them as they imitate Christ. I wondered if I was living up to my calling. Side note: in that chapel I lit a candle for the San Damiano Scholars from my alma matter, Marian University in Indianapolis. It was that program that helped form me into the lay leader I am today and I wouldn't be where I am without my Marian family. We then moved to the tomb of St. Clare, whose body is on display. Around her tomb are images of her life. There's a small kneeler in front of the room her body lies in and you can see her body through a glass window. When I was praying, a nun came in the room Clare lies in and started cleaning the room, making sure it looks nice. I loved that image even after hundreds of years, her sisters are still taking care of her. Assisi is a city where I will always leave a piece of my heart. We then left Assisi for Rome! First stop was St. Paul's Outside the Walls. I've been to Rome before but never there. We walked through the Holy Door (number 3) and walked around inside. Benedictines were saying vespers, filling the large church with the ancient prayers of the Church. The custodian of the Basilica is an American Cardinal who is a friend of Bishop Don's. Sadly he was not home to give us a tour. We the did a driving tour of the city, seeing many of the sites like the colosseum, circus Maximus, and so many others. (So many that I can't remember). We came back to the hotel and had a huge dinner (well, huge to us, it was a traditional meal for the Italians: 4 courses). The I went to bed. The next day was jam packed with so much stuff. Sunday started with us going to St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. We took the pilgrim walk down the way of Mercy, a special path just for pilgrims who wish to make the prayerful journey through the Holy Door st St. Peter's. Our group carried a cross and we sang songs and said prayers along the way. To me it felt like we were part of an ancient tradition, joining the long list of pilgrims who had walked through those holy doors. Inside we also were able to take a special path up the central isle to get close to St. Peter. We then had some free time to look around. I walked around and observed the workings of the Church. Sunday liturgy was going on at the upper altar and a side chapel. People were praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament. The sacrament of Reconciliation was being heard in multiple languages. We even saw a baptism of a small baby. I kept thinking, "this is our faith. This is the faith of the Church." The Church isn't something old and decaying, but living and thriving. Made up of living stones. It was a beautiful moment. Some people I was with decided that it would be a good idea to climb to the very top of the dome of St. Peter's. It was a crazy climb but the view from the top was incredible. During part of the climb you actually walk inside St. Peter's and can look down at the people below. We were able to see he moment of consecration during the main Mass. We then rushed down the stairs and outside just in time to hear Pope Francis' Angelus address. Yes! We saw the pope! He was in his library window. He mentioned that there were some pilgrims for World Youth Day present and then he said "I will see you in Kraków!" That made my day. We had lunch and rushed to two more major basilicas: St John Lateran and St. Mary Major. St. John Lateran is where St. Francis went to present his rule to the pope. I thought it was fitting that there was a group of Franciscans there on a tour. St. Mary Major was the first church dedicated to Mary. We celebrated Mass in the magnificent Borghese chapel, where Pope Francis goes to pray before his trips. We then were able to go on a walking tour (thanks Kevin!) of the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps (under construction- no stepping tonight), Piazza Novona, and the Pantheon. We ate pizza at Angi's favorite pizza place and had gelato under the Pantheon. It was wonderful. Today, Monday, we said Mass at the tomb of St. John Paul II in St. Peter's. Wow. What a great way to begin World Youth Day week! To pray before the man who started it all and is now one of its patron saints! I was at John Paul's last WYD in Toronto, so to be there in his presence again was beautiful. Now we just landed in KRAKÓW!!!! More later! Pax Et Bene! Vicky
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