We've been hitting it hard so far and there was no sense in letting off the gas for our final day. One more day with Pope Leo and one more Mass in St. Peter's.
On Wednesday's, the Holy Father delivers a morning address to pilgrims, known as the Wednesday Audience. Beings we were over here, we planned one extra day to take that in. No regrets.
It's amazing how many pilgrims flood this place no matter what the occasion.
Having a friend in the Vatican, we had Fr. Patrick get us in the back way, through the Swiss Guard. The SG wear their colorful uniforms when the Pope is at the Vatican. Interesting.
Getting there early allowed us to get some decent seats. From this spot, you can see the Sistine Chapel in the background. Right about at the arrow is where the white smoke, from the election of a pope can be seen. Below that, on the upper level of the audience seats, are seated newly wed couples awaiting their blessing from the Holy Father. It is a cool thing, that if couples married within the last year come to the Wednesday Audience in the wedding attire, they get a personal visit and blessing with the Holy Father.
Shortly after we landed, the skies opened up.
People around here come prepared. Fortunately, the rain let up, for the most part.
Before the audience began, the Holy Father made a trip through the audience. When he passed by our spot, and we were standing on chairs in the background, he and I made eye contact. Cool.
Once he got settled, he gave his address. The Gospel was proclaimed in many languages and then he gave a homily, of sorts. At the end, he gave a blessing over all of us and the sacramentals we brought to be blessed.
As we departed, Pope Leo greeted folks seated near by, which was not us but neat to see on the big screen.
At the end of the audience, they announced that there would be a Mass for pilgrims inside the Basilica. So we patiently made our way through the crowd to land inside. I then headed for the sacristy to see if I could concelebrate.
Sure enough. This is the sacristy for St. Peter's Basilica. Large and beautiful, just like the rest of the church. A local bishop celebrated the Mass with 60 or so other priests from around the area.
This was cool. The Mass was all in Italian, so I was fairly tuned out, outiside of the Eucharistic prayer. Therefore, I got to ponder all the aspects of St. Peter's sanctuary.
After the Mass, we made our way out of the Vatican Square and headed down the Borgo Pio for lunch. This street is where we have spent most our time for meals and other hangouts. Good stuff.
After that, the rain kicked back up!
So long Rome! What a fitting way to end a good pilgrimage. God's grace fell lavishly up us like this rain that fell from the sky. All we had to do is put ourselves in a place to receive it. That we have done. Now comes the work of allowing the grace we have received to bear fruit in our lives and the lives of those around us. Shouldn't be to hard if we follow the program, Mass and Mary.
The source and summit of this pilgrimage was no doubt the Eucharist. This sacred encounter fueled us on our pilgrimage in Rome, and this same Sacramental Lord will continue to fuel us on our pilgrimage through life. Just as Mary helped Jesus mature and grow as a boy and man, so does she with us. As we go forward on the rest of life's pilgrimage, we'll do well to take Jesus up on His offer and, Behold our mother! (John 19:27)
My greatest takeaway of this Rome experience is that the Kingdom of God on earth is alive and well! Rome embodies the Church, which is the presence of God's kingdom on earth, in mystery (LG 3). This reality is built upon the foundations of the Apostle Peter, upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:18:19).
The apostolic strength of this promise of God is made manifest at the Vatican. The authority that Jesus gave to Peter and the other apostles is still alive and well in the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Through this governance, Jesus is able to continue to teach and sanctify His bride, the Church. As baptized Christians we participate in this reality. Now it's time to manifest it in our lives. Let's ranch!
No comments:
Post a Comment