Monday, October 11, 2010

Touch Down - ROME!!!

We have arrived in Rome after our 26 hour journey. It is wonderful to be here.
Charlotte King from Forbes and Heidi Welsh
from Eugowra with our guide Stephania
Stephania, our tour guide and Salvatora our bus driver greeted us at the airport and took us on an orientation tour of the streets of Rome. What an amazing city. We stopped at the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus; this is the site
Miranda Evans and me
where most of the Christians were martyred. Stephania also taught us a very important skill – how to drink from the water fountains of Rome. Bishop Mark also pointed out many of the Mother houses of the religious orders and the university (Propaganda Fide), where many of our Australia Bishops studied.

Thanks for the demo Charlotte

We celebrated the Eucharist at the church of Our Lady of Guadeloupe near our hotel. The gospel of the Beatitudes was proclaimed. Archbishop Mark told us that in the Roman Missal, all the saints are called – not ‘saint’  but ‘blessed’ – beati – because we see in them what the beatitudes really look like. Mary MacKillop lived the beatitudes in her life, as did St Vincent de Paul and our other wonderful saints.

Dinner was shared in a quaint little restaurant in the cobbled streets near the Vatican. We then walked through the Piazza of Saint Peter’s Basilica – the warmth of the Piazza came not only from the beautiful warm October weather but also from other pilgrims who seemed as awe struck as we were as we gazed upon the stunning spot-lit architecture.
Channel Seven found us at the hotel, interviewed Archbishop Mark, filmed us all dining at the restaurant and interviewed Fr Richard Thompson for the live AM program. Looks like we are going to be TV stars!!

7 comments:

  1. Dear Sue,

    Good morning from home hopefully your getting some sleep after a long journey. It brings a big smile to my face as I recollect on my first visit to the Vatican. I actually rode my bike through Rome as dawn broke. From the Villa Borgese I pedalled through the city heading for the bascilica. Riding around the vatican, I turned left down a small hill and passing through an ancient archway I found myself in the middle of St Peter's square quite by accident!!! Am still awestruck. So much more to come for you all and such a special time to be in Roma. Please say hi to mum for me. Gerard Doyle

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  2. WOW WOW!
    Hi Nev are you awestruck thanks Sue for the the use of the Blog I will be following you all on the fantastic event
    eileen

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  3. Happy that the diocesan team has touched down Roma safely.. Just 6 more days to make Mary a saint. Wow.. U r lucky to follow her foot-steps in Rome. All the best.. prayers.

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  4. THANK YOU, SUE. WE WILL BE FOLLOWING YOUR EVERY WORD. THE VANCOUVER STREET MOB.

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  5. Cant wait to see more photos!! Sounds like you're having a great time, i'll be watching! missing you already :-) Char and Caleb xoxo

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  6. Hi Heidi and her fellow pilgrims. Your interview was great today on sunrise. We are all so proud of you. Soak it all up. Roma is an amazing city. Enjoy and rememberhold on to your bag! God bless you all. Keeping you and your fello pilgrims in our prayers. Therese

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  7. What a lovely post on Rome ! You make my heart to go back to Italy ! You have a stunning blog ! I have always dreamed of visiting Italy!
    I would love to enjoy Catacombs Tours in Rome!! Thanx for sharing excellent informations.
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