Day 9

July 2nd

We lived up to our title of Roamin' Catholics today! We had a free morning and many of us went to Santa Anna for Mass -- the parish church of Pope Francis. (They have Masses at 7, 7:40 and 8 am with morning prayer after the 7!)

This painting portrays Nicholas Pick and the martyrs of Gorkum (Holland).

Five of us went to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. Two went to the Holy Spirit Church and some went to so many churches I couldn't remember them all! We all returned for an informal late lunch then enjoyed another powerful conference by Monsignor Lopes -- his last for us.

The best part of the day was dinner when we described our adventures of getting around Rome on our own: someone trying to give us special deal by selling us museum tickets for 20 euro more, finding an "angel" who gave directions, shopping,  running into friends and having the bus police check whether we had stamped our ticket on a bus so crowded that the door would hardly close. "Permisso" is an excellent word to know in such a situation so that you can get off the bus at your stop! Even an attempt to make Rice Krispie bars with unmeltable marshmallows added to the fun. This picture hardly shows the stories and laughter we shared. Nor can a blog express the deep effect the experiences of these days are having on our hearts. I am thanking God tonight for this gift of community among our varied religious communities -- and for all who made this pilgrimage possible.