Day 7

June 30, First Martyrs of Rome

In just a few hours we received so much today. The Spanish Steps was a more touristy stop -- known by many of us as the the place where Audrey Hepburn sat and ate gelato during the movie "Roman Holiday." Our activities there were curtailed by a sign informing us that we were not allowed to shout, squall or sing. So much for that!

Close by the original of the DIME pillar at Mundeleine Seminary  (listing Marian prophecies by David, Isaiah, Moses and Ezekiel). Beautiful!

From there, Msgr. Michael Osborne waved to us from his window in the Propagation of the Faith building, then welcomed us to the chapel of the Three Kings where John Cardinal Newman was ordained. Since St. Therese is a patroness of the missions, they house one of her two habits still in existence, a blessing for all especially the two Sisters in our group named in her honor and our Carmelite.

Our next visit was to S. Andrea della Fratte church where the only approved Marian apparition in Rome occurred. It is simple and beautiful story of conversion of an anti-Catholic through the intercession of Mary. 

Our last and powerful stop was at the simple Church of the First Martyrs of Rome on the patronal feast. I am quite sure that when we sang "Faith of our Fathers" for Vespers this afternoon I could hear a greater strength of conviction and prayer for perseverance.

We close with one thought from a powerful conference by Monsignor Lopes who explained the Transfiguration in terms of relationship. Enjoy!


We must certainly enter into mystery of committed love
if we are to understand that the Transfiguration is not
an impossible unveiling of the light of the Word to the eyes
of the Apostles, but rather a moment of intensity
in which the entire being of Jesus is utterly united
with the compassion of the Father.
During these decisive days of his life He becomes transparent
to the light of the love of the One who gives himself to men
for their salvation.


If, then, Jesus is transfigured,
the reason is that the Father causes his own joy to flame out in him.
The radiance of the light in the suffering body of Jesus is, as it were,
the thrill experienced by the Father in response
to the total self-giving of his only Son.
This explains the voice that pierces through the cloud: ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor. Listen to him’ (Mt. 17:5)
(Jean Corbon, The Wellspring of Worship, 93).

Day 6

June 29, Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul

Long after we leave Rome, this morning at St. Peter's will be etched in our memories. In the heart of the Church , we were united in the Mass with our Holy Father Pope Francis and 24 Archbishops from every corner of the earth who received the pallium.

 During his homily, Pope Francis expressed the idea that the Lord freed Peter from his chains, and also from his fears. Reminding us of the responsorial psalm, "From all my terrors, the Lord set me free," the Pope asked the bishops (and us), Are we afraid? To what do we look for our security. Do we seek it in recognition, in pride? Where will we find our refuge? Only, dear brothers, in Jesus! The Lord's fidelity to us is our rock. 

History in the making: Pope Francis processes out with
the representative of Patriarch Bartholomew.

In contrast to the incredible beauty of the liturgy, the processions were accompanied by the faithful loving their Papa through technology (present company included). One of our Sisters reflects on this reality: 

I saw our Holy Father walk on water today ... through the storm of cameras flashing, people pushing and even standing on chairs to get a glimpse of him. Our Holy Father had his eyes centered on Christ and the holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  He remained in peace while walking amidst this boisterous storm.  What a powerful witness of the depth of his life of prayer!  May I follow in his footsteps stepping out in peace amidst whatever trial arises in my life with the same trust in our Lord.

On a lighter note:

In the afternoon we decided that when in Rome we should celebrate this feast as the Romans do --  with prayer and gelato!

Day 5

June 28th, Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Irenaeus

Our day began with this early morning bus experience and ended with our first gelato!

At S. Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major), Father  Luke Millette offered Mass in the crypt which displayed a relic of the wood from Christ’s manger brought back from the Holy Land by St. Helen. 

Like a good teacher, Father taught us to read the sacred art throughout the day at the simple Basilica di S. Lorenzo fuori le mura, the historically amazing Basilica San Clemente , and the majestic Basilica di S. Giovanni in Laterano. As 21st century Catholics walking into the 12th century church of St Clement (a slave who became the fourth pope), which had been built upon the site of a 4th century church with the excavations of a first century house below it we experienced a sense of unity with all who have gone before us in faith. On this day filled with sacred images of fullness of life in Christ we happened upon both a funeral and a wedding . Father's message that sacred art is intended to be easily read is expressed in the office of readings for today:

“The glory of God gives life; those who see God receive life. For this reason God, who cannot be grasped, comprehended or seen, allows himself to be seen, comprehended and grasped by men, that he may give life to those who see and receive him.” St. Irenaeus, bishop martyred around the year 200.

Day 4

June 27th, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

A short walk or bus ride from Domus Sancte Mariae Guadalupe, we joyfully entered into the "arms" of our Holy Mother Church.

Father Luke Millette offered Mass at the Altar of Pope Saint John XXIII just to the right of the main altar. If you want to pray at St. Peter's Basilica, arrive early. The very area where we celebrated Mass soon filled with pilgrims speaking in a variety of languages that expressed the universality of the Church and anticipation of people of every language and nation united in heaven. Father's tour of St. Peter's and of the area near the Domus opened our eyes points of theology, history and architecture that could be easily missed.

After several hours our soles were weary from the cobblestone streets, yet our souls were energized by the beautiful expressions of faith we experienced. Here we are a few blocks away from the Domus with the Pantheon in the background

In the afternoon, Monsignor Lopes gave two conferences focusing on the communion and kinosis/self-emptying expressed in the Incarnation and Passion of Jesus, in which  we share as the beloved sons of the Father.

Day 3

June 26th

Twelve Sisters, eight Communities, one great Father Cush

Today we started with the privilege of assisting at Mass celebrated by Father Cush at the Basilica of the Dodici Apostoli (Twelve Apostles) where the Apostles Philip and James the Lesser are buried.  Then we walked a block to the Casa Santa Maria where Father Cush gave us two conferences, one on the Gospel of St. Luke, and the other on the Gospel of St. John.  Father's comments during the conferences were conveniently accentuated by the Lord through thunderclaps and lightning strikes!  The downpour of the thunderstorm began as we entered the Casa and stopped as we were leaving. Thank you, Lord!

Day 2

June 25th

We started off the day with the great privilege of assisting at Mass celebrated by Father Cush in the Rooms of St. Ignatius of Loyola!! The Blessed Sacrament is reserved and an altar placed in the room that was the very bedroom of St. Ignatius.  St. Ignatius died in this room in 1556.  In the centuries after Ignaitus' death, the room was decorated with ornate baroque artwork. We learned today, however, that the rooms were recently (in Roman standards--meaning within the last 50 years!) refurbished to again resemble the actual way they would have looked when St. Ignatius lived there.  Here is a picture of some of our Sisters in St. Ignatius Room right before Mass.  You will notice in the photo behind the Sisters a painting of the Holy Family and St. John the Baptist. St. Ignatius had a devotion to this image and it was actually hanging in his room during his life and at his death.

After Mass we visited an adjacent room that has relics from St. Ignatius life, including his chasuble, vest, undershirt, shoes and robe. In the picture below Ignatius chasuble (in center back) and shoes (on left front) are visible.

We then went to the Church of the Gesu' (right next door) where St. Ignatius' tomb and the forearm and hand of St. Francis Xavier can both be found.  The Gesu' is the central church for the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) throughout the world.  Below is a picture of our Sisters praying in front of St. Ignatius' tomb.

The late morning and afternoon included conferences from Father Cush, meals together, and a Eucharistic Holy Hour with recitation of Vespers.

A great second day!!

Day 1

June 24th: Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Today we all arrived to Rome, although some of us were a bit delayed because of rescheduled flights.  Once we had all gathered at the Domus, we walked over to the Casa Santa Maria.  The Casa is the Graduate House of Studies for the North American College, where American Priests and Seminarians reside during their time in Rome.  

At the Casa we were greeted by Father John P. Cush, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, who has kindly offered two days of his time to hosting us!  We prayed Vespers at the Casa before Father celebrated Mass for us.  

At the end of Mass he shared with us some of the history of the Casa.  The picture below captures that moment: