So, a very late update on the Rome portion of our trip. It was completely filled with incredible experiences, especially because it was here that we were able to see so many relics of the Roman Catholic Church, right there. Standing in St. Peter's Square for the same time, the very idea that we were at the Vatican itself slowly began to sink in.
Sunday, March 1
The day began with Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, which was an ordinary Mass said in Latin, with choral accompaniment. St. Peter's Basilica is a gorgeous church, filled with sculpture and gold and all sorts of art, with magnificent architecture, and just a breathtaking sense of massiveness. It was there that it became really evident just how incredibly huge our Faith itself is.
Afterwards, Pope Benedict said the Angelus from his apartment window, as we gathered outside and prayed with him. Then, at 3:00 PM (15:00 in European time), the students split up into tour groups, going to many churches, including the church of St. Peter in Chains, which houses two sets of chains, that had held Peter on different occasions, which had fused together.
Monday, March 2
Some of the students went on the Scavi tour, which is a tour of the scavi, or excavation, done beneath St. Peter's Basicila, which eventually found the Tomb of St. Peter. The tomb itself is deep within the excavation, having been sealed inside of a cube of marble by Emperor Constantine, for safekeeping. It is, however, visible from one point in the excavations. The rest of the scavi is filled mostly with burial places, because it used to serve as a necropolis, a city of tombs.
At 1:00 PM (13:00), the students split up for another tour, this time of the outside of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum (a gathering-place in Rome), and Mamertine Prison (the prison where Paul and Peter were kept, and where they still have the spring which Peter used to baptize his guards). Afterwards, we had Mass at the church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, which is the Mother House of the Franciscan Friars TOR who serve at the University.
Tuesday, March 3
The rest of the students who had tickets went on the Scavi tour, and then at 1:30 (13:30) came a tour of St. Peter's Basilica itself, where we learned all about it, including about the relics which have resided in it (part of Veronica's Veil, the Spear of Longionus, and more). Finally, Mass at the church called St. Paul's Outside the Walls, which is built at the execution spot of St. Paul himself.
Wednesday, March 4
On this final day, the tour guides took groups on one last tour of many places in Rome, including the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Capuchin Bone Yard Church. Then, Mass at the famous St. John Lateran Basilica, which was gorgeous, and infused with so much tradition.
The trip to Rome was powerful, and beautiful, and awe-inspiring; it was a lifetime experience. Check back for pictures!
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