Stories from Monday...

Mark and Fr Richard.

As you saw in my queue photo published earlier, the influx of pilgrims meant we spent many hours on Monday just standing in line. Mark Oakley from Bega said that it was the longest queue for the Vatican Museum in “known history”. The rain gave us an extra challenge for the day but Mark felt it was a magnificent day of spiritual, artistic, architectural brilliance. We are all thrilled and honoured to be here – rain, hail or shine.

Bascilica side chapel.

As Colin Groves knelt before the Blessed Sacrament in the side chapel of the Basilica, the stark contrast between the magnificence of the building structure and the simple piece of white bread – the Body of Christ – was an extraordinary mystery to behold. Archbishop Mark explained that the Basilica of St Peter, which in fact is the tomb of St Peter, in all its grandeur, is the memorial to the act of his martyrdom.

In the evening we had the fun part of the day at a pizzeria. We dined well and the food was accompanied by Spanish music to top off an exhausting but exhilarating day.