Thursday, June 30, 2016

Day 7 - June 30

Day 7 - Thursday, June 30


Today as we remember those first Martyrs of Rome it is especially poignant and significant for us as we walk the same roads they did-while facing similar challenges in the culture of our times that has so much in common with the pagan ages before. Our Office of Readings this morning contained advice from Saint Clement I of Rome to the Corinthians, which resonates still. He wrote from before the year 100 AD, “Let us leave behind the examples from times of old, and come to those who struggled closest to us; let us consider the noble models of our own generation. It was through jealousy and envy that the greatest and most upright pillars of the Church were persecuted and struggled unto death. Let us set before our eyes the good apostles . . . with their holy lives gathered a great throng of the elect, who, though victims of jealousy, gave us the finest example of endurance in the midst of many indignities and tortures.”  It is significant to our fidelity to our consecration that we also endure the tortures-but also stick together in our faith. Good example makes quite a difference.

Our morning was a quiet one of gathering strength or wandering the city. Those who stayed home caught up on daily chores or a little extra rest. Those of us who went wandering found ourselves thinking “What a surprise”  in different churches such as San Giovanni along the Tiber. Sister Daisy ran into friends who are Apostles of the Sacred Heart, gathered for their General Chapter, while Sister Mary and Sister Jeanette discovered the Church of the Stigmata of St Francis just three blocks from the Domus.

Our afternoon revisited our liturgical morning as we walked past the glories of ancient Rome’s gathering places, triumphal arches, the Colosseum, and monuments to long forgotten conquerors on our way to a tour of the Basilica of San Clemente of Rome by Father Pius, OP. Father proved an excellent professor, treating us to the stories behind the mosaics and frescoes-bringing alive so many details. We journeyed from the 12th century in the upper basilica to the 4th century lower church to the deepest foundations which include a pagan Mithraeum alongside what may have been a coin minting operation for Rome. We were awed to come in contact with the relics of St Clement, but also St Ignatius of Antioch and St Cyril, brother of St Methodius, who is the apostle to the Slavic peoples.


In reflecting on today’s saints-both in the liturgy and in our pilgrimage, we look to the faith and strength of those before us and around us, and to the Lord from whom all graces flow. 

Beautiful and meaningful mosaic behind the main altar at St. Clement's 

Father Pius explaining the frescos in the chapel of St. Catherine of Alexandria

Sisters venerating the relics of St. Clement

Sistes venerating the relec of St. Cyril

Group photo in the chapel of St. Cyril

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Day 6 - June 29

Day 6 - Wednesday, June 29

Today we all traveled to Assisi by train. We prayed our Morning Prayer as the train rolled through the incredibly beautiful Umbrian countryside with picturesque towns crowned with the local Church at the top of the hill. We had a wonderful tour guide, Mother Regina Pacis, who took us to many significant and beautiful places from the life of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. Several of our religious communities were grounded in the Rule of St. Francis, which provided additional stories or memories of those who lived the Franciscan charism.

We first went to the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli, which was built around the Portiuncula, where Saint Francis and his first followers prayed. We arrived just in time for the 11AM Mass to celebrate the Feasts of Saints Peter and Paul.  Mother Regina Pacis showed us the spot of St. Francis’ death, the rose garden, and the hut where he lived in utter simplicity.

At the Basilica of St. Francis, we prayed at the tomb of St. Francis. Art depicting the vows and the life of St. Francis were explained in its richness of meaning by Mother.  We spent time in prayer, and then had the option of visiting the Church where St. Clare was baptized as a bambina. We all prayed in front of the Cross of San Damiano and at the tomb of St. Clare at her Basilica. Relics included her golden tresses and an alb she had embroidered for the priest who served her Poor Ladies.


The train ride home took a bit longer than expected, which provided nice community time – and we had quite a good time, with several Sister’s sense of humor coming out.  It was a day rich in grace, walking (over 5.5 miles), and laughter.  





The Transitus Chapel at St. Mary of the Angels 

Sisters outside the Basilica of St. Francis

More Sisters outside the Basilica of St. Francis

The Tomb of St. Francis

Mother Regina Pacis explaining the lower Basilica frescos

The Basilica of St. Francis and the whole group

Sisters praying in front of the body of St. Clare

A beautiful blessing on a gate leading to Assisi



Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Day 5 - June 28

Day 5 - Tuesday, June 28

 We attended Mass at St. Anne’s church, which is very near the Vatican.  Then we picked up a cup of cappuccino and walked two blocks to the Congregation for Catholic Education. We were privileged to meet once again with Fr. Bechina (and another official from the office, an intelligent German woman who deals with international education affairs at the Congregation).   Father helped us to see the distinction between the Vatican and the Holy See, which deals with the Church’s international affairs regarding Catholic education.  Catholic Education reflects the diversity of the Universal Church.  Education is a Community of Learners, and we need to approach each person with a merciful heart.  Every person has the right to be educated in all aspects of life; therefore Catholic education cannot just be catechesis.  Father emphasized the Principle of Subsidiarity, and that there is no ”one size fits all” regarding Catholic education.  We also watched a video that included a talk by Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace prize winner from Pakistan.   She stated that “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”  We were inspired by how much Father and Melanie are rooted in Christ in this important mission.

In the afternoon, we once again met Fr. Nicolas Steeves, S. J., who treated us to a tour of the Gregorian Pontifical University.  In a PowerPoint presentation, he gave us the history of the University.  We were amazed to find out that the University’s alumni include 16 Popes, 21 Saints, and 39 Blessed.  One quarter of the Bishops and half of the Cardinals are also graduates of the Gregorian.  Father then took us on a tour of the Church of St. Ignatius and the Gesu.  At the end of the tour, there was a special presentation of the sound and light at the altar of St. Ignatius.  The music and prayers were peaceful and uplifting.


Today we celebrate the Vigil of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles.  The reading from Evening Prayer I was just for us . . . “to all in Rome, beloved of God and called to holiness, grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 1:7

Entering the Congregation for Catholic Education

Father Bechina, his assistant, and Mother Regina Pacis

Group photo! 

Father Steeves showing us The Church of St. Ignatius

The mortal remains of St. Robert Bellarmine

The high altar at the Church of the Gesu
The final scene of the Sound and Light show at the Gesu


Monday, June 27, 2016

Day 4 - June 27

Monday, June 27, 2016

It has been a day designed by Divine Providence. We began with Holy Mass at The church of St Bridgid of Sweden, and then headed off to St Paul Outside the Walls where we saw the Crucifix that "spoke" to St Brigid and the image of Our Lady that St Ignatius and companions made their vows in front of. It's like Our Lord is bringing many strands of the church together during our visit as He brought the bright threads of several communities here at the heart of His Church.

Cardinal Harvey (the ArchPriest of St Paul Outside the Walls since 2012) met us, and had a short prayer service prepared, then we entered the Holy Doors, and then he shared personal insights about the Basilica.

Cardinal Harvey has amazing knowledge of the history of the basilica - the first building, small and oriented opposite of this one, built in Constantine's era. In the 4th C, it was clearly falling down and much too small, so they turned it around and built a larger one - which was rebuilt at the turn of the 7th C.  In 1823 there was a massive fire that destroyed the basilica nave, but the tomb and the sanctuary were saved.  The current basilica was built then. A plea went out to the entire world for donations to build a new church, and contributions came in from everywhere in the world - including 4 large alabaster pillars from an African Muslim Sultan.  Other precious stone include malachite (bright green, adorning the high altar) from a Russian Orthodox Czar and alabaster which was cut very thin to create translucent windows.

We prayed the rest of the prayers for the Holy Father and Creed at the tomb.  Then he continued his tour through the cloisters, chapel of Relics and picture gallery.  He then took us to the snack bar where he treated us to a tremendous lunch - panini, pizza, pasta, gelato, a mixed fruit juice and espresso or cappuccino.  It was a kind, informal, relaxing and extended (which is normal for Italians) lunch - extremely nice!  We had a half hour to visit the gift shop or return to the Basilica before we rode the bus home.

At supper, we celebrated the feast day of Sister Maria Socorro, the administrator of the Domus.  It is the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

The Sisters pause for a moment before entering the Basilica

The Holy Water font and jubilee cross
Holy Doors from the 11th Century - new Holy Doors were put in for the Holy Year 2000.  


Cardinal Harvey heads a tour of the Cloisters

Cardinal Harvey treated us to an amazing lunch! 

Sister Maria Socorro and a beautiful, intricate home-made card from Siister Angelica, for her feast day.  

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Day 3 - June 26

Day 3 - Sunday, June 26

After a leisurely morning, we walked to the Jesuit house which is next to the Church of the Gesu.  Father Nicolas Steeves, SJ gave us a explanation of the life of St. Ignatius, based on several images which lead to the room in which St. Ignatius died.  The hall outside that room was painted in the 15th Century – and is rich in images, including several stained glass windows depicting scenes from the life of Ignatius.  We then had mass in St. Ignatius’ room.  The meditations and homilies were very beautiful and insightful.

In the afternoon, we went to a display put on by the city of Rome, which is on loan by the Vatican museum for the jubilee Year of Mercy.  It included interactive displays, archived video and many volumes, maps and other documents all relating to the history of the ordinary and extraordinary years of jubilee.  A hilight for many sisters was seeing the actual Bull declaring the first jubilee year, 1300.

In the evening, we went for a walk and topped off the day with Gelato!  The Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church are celebrating their superior’s jubilee – so we celebrated with them!

The entrance to the hall outside St. Ignatius' room

This bust of Ignatius' head was made from a mask taken immedately after his death.  
The bust indicates his actual height. 

A group picture with Father Steeves

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Day 2 - June 25

Day 2 - June 25

We attended Mass today at San Carlo ai Cantenari (Charles Borremeo), which is immediately next door to the Domus - literally ten steps away!  It is a beautiful church with several unique and beautiful paintings.  After some free time, we had class with Fr. Fredrick Bechina, FSO who is the undersecretary at the congregation for Catholic Education.

Some of the points we gleamed from Father's class include: 
  • The Religious is unique in the world:  she has a universal view of the Church, but her feet are on the ground in daily apostolic efforts. However, even cloistered Sisters share this ability to know tangible and specific details, and brings the world to prayer. 
  • Religious have a prophetic mission.  They make love tangible.  Religious must therefore be more exposed to the world today, so people can touch us and see and believe that the gospel is true. 
  • Father showed how the last three popes, St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis share the whole doctrine of the Church, and their approaches are different, but work together and must remain together.  John Paul II went out to the people, to help them rediscover the joy of the Universal church.  Benedict XVI could explain the “why” of the faith – why it is reasonable to believe in love.  Pope Francis is teaching us to move to the periphery and wants us to experience love.  Without reason, love can go astray.  Without love, reason can wither.  Love is with doctrine, not against it.  



A painting of the death of St. Ann (in San Carlo ai Canternari)

Holy Hour with Fr. Bechina
.

Friday, June 24, 2016

Day 1 - June 24

Day 1 - June 24


The sisters all arrived safely - and with their luggage!!


Because most were very tired, it was a light day.  For Mass, we went to the Church of the Gesu, a Jesuit shrine where St. Ignatius of Loyola is buried.  After an afternoon of  prayer, resting and relaxation, we gathered for a very nice meal and then walked to a nearby Gelato shop and took in the Tiber at sunset!



The Sisters praying at Gesu Church




Sisters praying in the chapel at the Domus

The Sisters all together at a meal

Gelato!  (Of course!)




Friday, June 3, 2016

Welcome!

Welcome!  

This is where the 2016 Domus Summer Program Blog will be found!  From June 23 - July 15, there will be eight Religious Women from four communities participating. The communities are:

Check back after June 23!