Parish Pilgrimage - Day 5 - Friday, October 11

Today, we traveled 3 hours to the north to visit the town of Francis - Assisi.  It is a beautiful town nestled up in the Umbrian hills.  It was here that St. Francis lived and died - and founded the Franciscan Order (see a short history of Francis and the Franciscans below).

On arrival we took in the beautiful view from the hillside where we were able to take a quick group photo.


Then we visited the church of Saint Clare where we saw the Crucifix of San Damiano - the very one that "spoke" to St. Francis of Assisi--telling him to "rebuild my Church" (see below for an explanation), and we prayed the prayer St. Francis used to help him discern God's will: "Most High, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart.  Give me true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity, sense and knowledge that I may carry out Your Holy and true command.


The church of Saint Clare also houses her incorrupt body and several relics of both St. Clare and St. Francis (parts of their habits, locks of hair, St. Francis' cincture).  Then we visited the small chapel which is the place where St. Francis was born.

Then we were off to the Basilica of St. Francis, where we saw the beautiful frescos and visited St. Francis' tomb.  (sorry, not allowed to take photos there).  But I did find this You Tube video (not mine) that shows many of the things we saw today!

And a beautiful group shot in front of the Basilica (including Vincenzo, our guide for our week in Rome).

We then went for a very nice lunch at a local hotel.  I'm supposed to mention that Randy must have said something that offended all the ladies at his table, because they left him all alone...

 - then back to St. Francis Basilica where we celebrated Mass in the "Peace Chapel" in the convent of the Franciscans.

Following Mass we headed down the hill to the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Portiuncula - where the Franciscan Order truly had its beginnings.  Before going in we paused for another group photo in front of the church.

Again, no photos are allowed, but I found another You Tube video that gives you a view of the church - although it's in Italian... but you can see what we saw today!  Here in the Basilica we prayed asking God's forgiveness for all the temporal punishment due to our sins: a Plenary Indulgence (called the Indulgence of the Forgiveness of Assisi)



Then, we were back onto the bus for our trip back to Rome.

Here follows a short history of Francis:

It was the 12th century when St. Francis lived.  His father, Pietro, was a wealthy merchant and wanted his son to follow in his footsteps.  Growing up, Francis did follow his father's plans, enjoying a very rich and easy life--amid the permissiveness of the times.  From the beginning everyone loved Francis.  He was constantly happy, charming, and born leader.  Because he was so well liked, no one really tried to control or teach him - they excused him instead.

As he grew, Francis became the leader of a crowd of young people who partied wildly all night.  He was the delight of his father for fulfilling all he had hoped for him.  But despite all his worldly success, Francis wanted more.  More than wealth alone.  But not holiness!  He didn't want that!  Francis wanted to be a knight! Battle was the place to win glory and honor, so following the declaration of war between Assisi and Perugia, Francis joined up.  

But most of the troops from Assisi were butchered in the battle.  Only those who had enough money to expect someone to pay a ransom were taken prisoner.  And so Francis found himself chained in a dungeon.  But even there they say that he never lost his happy demeanor.  After a year in the dungeon, he was ransomed.  But the experience didn't change him much.  He came home and resumed his same life of party and high society.  Nor did it change what he wanted in life: glory.  So Francis joined the 4th Crusade to go and fight.  But he never got any further than one day's journey from Assisi.  He had a dream: God told him he had it all wrong and told him to go back home - which he did - only to be called a coward by the people in the town.  

Slowly, Francis began his conversion.  He started to spend more time in prayer; he went off to a cave to weep for his many sins - but even there, God's mercy overwhelmed him with joy.  But Francis couldn't be bothered with all of this.  He had a business to run.

One day, riding through the countryside, Francis, the man who loved beauty, came face-to-face with a leper.  Repelled by his appearance and his smell, Francis nevertheless jumped down from his horse and kissed the leper's hand.  When his kiss was returned, Francis found himself filled with joy.  As he rode off, he turned to look at the leper once more - but he was gone.  He always reflected on this experience as a test from God - a test that he had passed.

His journey of conversion now led him to the ancient church of San Daminao, which was crumbling and in
bad repair.  While praying, he heard Christ on the crucifix speak to him: "Francis, repair my church."  He assumed God meant this building - so he took a great deal of money from his father's business and intended to repair the church structure.  His father saw this as theft and thought his son had gone mad.  His father dragged him to the bishop in front of the entire town - demanding that Francis return the stolen money and renounce all his rights as heir.

The kindly bishop told Francis to return to the money - trusting that God would provide.  That was what Francis needed to hear.  He not only gave back the money, but stripped off all his clothes and, in front of the stunned crowd, exclaimed: "Pietro Berardone is no longer my father.  From now on I can say with complete freedom 'Our Father who art in heaven.'"  And so, half naked, Francis went off into the woods, singing.  From here on, Francis has nothing... but he really had found everything.  

He went back to what he considered God's call.  He begged for stones and rebuilt the church of San Damiano with his own hands - not realizing that what God wanted was not for him to rebuild the church, but to rebuild the Church.  The Church was in a bad state: scandal, avarice, and many other difficulties.  

Francis began to preach (he was never a priest, though was later ordained a deacon - under protest).  What he preached was not reform, but return to God and obedience to the Church.  Someone once asked him if a priest who was known to be living with a woman was able to truly consecrate the Eucharist (or if, because of the great sin, the Eucharist was polluted), he went to the priest and kissed his consecrated hands - because they had held God - despite his personal sinfulness.  

Slowly Francis attracted others who wanted to follow his way of life: sleeping in the open, begging for garbage to eat, and loving God completely.  With these companions, Francis realized he now had to have some kind of direction, so opened the Bible.  He read the command to the rich young man to "sell all you have and give to the poor," he read the order to the apostles to take nothing on our journey, and he heard the demand to take up our cross daily and follow the Lord.  "Here is our rule," Francis said.  That was all it took to live by the Gospel  

This brotherhood that was formed included, not just his followers, but all of creation.  He felt that all of nature, all God's creatures, were part of his brotherhood: the sparrow as much his brother as the Pope.  One of the famous stories says that Francis intervened with a wolf that was eating the townspeople by talking to it and asking it never to kill again.  This wolf became a town pet who made sure it was always well-fed.

Francis and his brothers set out to preach as the Bible said: "Two by two."  At first people were skeptical of these men dressed in rags.  But even ran away from them thinking the insanity was contagious.   They didn't realize how right they were--it WAS contagious!  Soon, these same people began to notice that these barefoot beggars were filled with joy.  Soon, those who were afraid of them were greeting them with blls and smiles.    

Francis didn't try to eliminate poverty - but instead tried to make it holy.  They worked for what they needed and begged only if they had to.  But they could accept no money.  Possessing anything was the death of love for Francis.  And it was in this poverty that he found true freedom.  

Francis' final years were filled with suffering and humiliation.  Praying to share in Christ's passion he had a vision and received the Stigmata-the markes of the nails and the lance wound that Christ suffered.  

Years of poverty and wandering made Francis ill - even going blind.  And how did he respond to his suffering?  It was then that he wrote the famous Canticle of the Sun expressing his brotherhood with all creation in praising God.  He never recovered from his illness and died on October 4, 1226 at the age of 45. 

Parish Pilgrimage - Day 4 - Thursday, October 10

Today our journey into Catholic Rome continues.  Yesterday we saw St. Peter's Basilica, and today we began with a visit to the Catacombs of Domitila.  The catacombs are fantastic!  They are vast, underground burial sites for pagans and Christians.  The excavations have revealed MANY Christians who were buried in these underground laberinths, including martyrs for the faith.  The early Christians would visit the catacombs, not to hide, but to be close to the human remains of the martyrs to ask for their intercession.  It was there, in the catacombs, that churches were built - because, being cemeteries, they were "safe havens" from the Romans.  This is why the legend developed that they were "hiding places."  They in fact were not, but were valid churches where the Christians would go to pray and to celebrate the Eucharist near the saints.  We ended our visit to the catacombs doing the same, celebrating Mass there.

Inside the Catacomb of Domitila

The Church inside the Catacomb.

Following our visit to the Catacomb, we visited the other 3 Papal Basilicas (as they are called): St. Paul outside the Walls, St. Mary Major, and St. John Lateran.  Each has a unique history and connection to our faith.  You can read about each of the places we visited today below.

When we finished visiting the churches, we had some time, so we arranged to stop once more near St. Peter's Basilica to explore a bit more (because we were rushed yesterday because of a scheduled Mass and the crowds visiting the Vatican Museum and the Basilica.  So we had some extra time today to visit.  We then met once again to walk back to the hotel for dinner - but stopped for ice cream (gelato) on the way home - and they insisted that I include this picture... and it was DELICIOUS!

Here are some other photos from today:

inside the church of St. Mary Major

Our group outside the Lateran Basilica - the Cathedral Church
of Rome and the entire world.

Inside the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

St. Paul Outside the Walls:

Tour St. Paul's with us here: 
http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_paolo/vr_tour/index-en.html

At the beginning of the 4th century, with the end of the persecutions and the promulgation of the Edicts of Tolerance in favour of Christianity, Emperor Constantine ordered the excavation of the cella memoriae, the place where Christians venerated the memory of Saint Paul the Apostle, beheaded under Nero around 65-67 A.D. Above his grave, located along the Ostiense Way, about two kilometers outside the Aurelian Walls surrounding Rome, Constantine built a Basilica which was consecrated by Pope Sylvester in 324.

Between 384 and 395 the Basilica, under the emperors Theodosius, Valentinian II and Arcadius, was restored and enlarged according to an extensive project consisting of five naves opening out into an atrium (quadriportico), or courtyard with four rows of columns. Throughout the centuries the Basilica would not cease to be embellished and enhanced by the Popes. For example, the massive defensive wall was built to protect against invasions at the end of the ninth century, while the bell tower and the magnificent Byzantine door were constructed in the eleventh century. Other important additions include Pietro Cavallini’s mosaics in the façade, the beautiful Vassalletto family’s cloister, Arnolfo di Cambio’s celebrated Gothic baldachin and the Candelabrum for the Paschal candle attributed to Nicola d’Angelo and Pietro Vassalletto of the thirteenth century. This historical period represents the golden age of what had been the biggest Basilica of Rome, until the consecration of the new Basilica of St. Peter in 1626. This sacred place of Christian pilgrimage was well-known for its artistic works.

On the night of July 15, 1823, a fire destroyed this unique testimony to the Paleo-Christian, Byzantine, Renaissance and Baroque periods. The Basilica was reconstructed identically to what it had been before, utilizing all the elements which had survived the fire. In 1840 Pope Gregory XVI consecrated the Altar of the Confession and the Transept.

Other embellishments followed the reconstruction. In 1928 the portico with 150 columns was added. Contemporary work in the Basilica has uncovered the tomb of the Apostle, while other important and beneficial works are carried out, as in the past, thanks to the generosity of Christians from all over the world.

In the fifth century under the Pontificate of Leo the Great, the Basilica became the home of a long series of medallions which would to this day depict all the popes throughout history. This testifies, in an extraordinary way, to “the very great, the very ancient and universally known Church founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious Apostles, Peter and Paul” (Saint Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses 3, 3,2).

Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls constitutes an extra-territorial complex (Motu Proprio by Pope Benedict XVI, 30 May 2005), administered by an Archpriest.

In addition to the Papal Basilica, the entire complex includes a very ancient Benedictine Abbey, restored by Odon of Cluny in 936. This Abbey remains active even today under the direction of its Abbot who retains his ordinary jurisdiction intra septa monasterii. The Benedictine Monks of the ancient Abbey, founded near the tomb of the Apostle by Pope Gregory II (715-731), attend to the ministry of Reconciliation (or Penance) and the promotion of special ecumenical events.

It is in this Basilica that every year on the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, January 25, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity solemnly opens. The Pope has specified two privileged tasks for this Papal Basilica: the Sacrament of Reconciliation (or Penance) and the development and organization of ecumenical initiatives.

On June 28, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Basilica and announced that the following year would be designated the “Pauline Year” to commemorate the bimillennium of the birth of Saint Paul. Thus, the “Pauline Year” was run from June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009.

Saint Mary Major:

If you'd like to do a "virtual tour" with us: go here: http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/sm_maggiore/vr_tour/index-en.html
 
First raised at the order of Pope Liberius in the mid-fourth century, the Liberian basilica was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus III shortly after the Council of Ephesus affirmed Mary’s title as Mother of God in 431. Rededicated at that time to the Mother of God, St. Mary Major is the largest church in the world honoring God through Mary. Standing atop one of Rome’s seven hills, the Esquiline, it has survived many restorations without losing its character as an early Roman basilica. Its interior retains three naves divided by colonnades in the style of Constantine’s era. Fifth-century mosaics on its walls testify to its antiquity.

St. Mary Major is one of the four Roman basilicas known as patriarchal cathedrals in memory of the first centers of the Church. St. John Lateran (November 9) represents Rome, the See of Peter; St. Paul Outside the Walls, the See of Alexandria, allegedly the see presided over by Mark (April 25); St. Peter’s, the See of Constantinople; and St. Mary’s, the See of Antioch, where Mary is supposed to have spent most of her life. 

One legend, unreported before the year 1000, gives another name to this feast: Our Lady of the Snows. According to that story, a wealthy Roman couple pledged their fortune to the Mother of God. In affirmation, she produced a miraculous summer snowfall and told them to build a church on the site. The legend was long celebrated by releasing a shower of white rose petals from the basilica’s dome every August 5.

St. John Lateran:

And again, here is another virtual tour: http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_giovanni/vr_tour/index-en.html

It was to Pope Melchiade (311-314) that Constantine gave the palace on Monte Celio, formerly property of the patrician Laterani family (hence the basilica's appellation "Lateran"), which his second wife Fausta (Maxentius' sister) had brought to the marriage. Soon after, the Emperor razed the adjoining imperial horse-guards barracks (allegedly the equites singulares had supported Maxentius against Constantine) and commissioned the construction of the world's first Christian basilica on that site.

Henceforth, the Lateran palace, known as the Patriarchate, was the Pope's official residence until the fifteenth century. The basilica, consecrated in 324 by Melchiade's successor, Pope Sylvester I (314-335), was dedicated, by will of the Emperor, to Christ the Savior. In the tenth century, Pope Sergio III (904-911) added St. John the Baptist, and in the twelfth century, Pope Lucius (1144- 1145), St. John the Evangelist, to the basilica's dedication.

In the course of its history, St. John Lateran suffered just about as many disasters and revivals as the papacy it hosted. Sacked by Alaric in 408 and Genseric in 455, it was rebuilt by Pope Leo the Great (440-461), and centuries later by Pope Hadrian I (772-795). Almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake in 896, the basilica was again restored by Pope Sergius III (904-911). Later the church was heavily damaged by fires in 1308 and 1360.

When the Popes returned from their sojourn in Avignon, France (1304-1377), they found their basilica and palace in such disrepair, that they decided to transfer to the Vatican, near St. Peter's. (That basilica, also built by Constantine, had until then served primarily as a pilgrimage church.)

Pope Sixtus V (1585-1590), in one of his frenzied urban renewal projects, tore down St. John

Lateran's original buildings, replacing them with late-Renaissance structures by his favorite architect Domenico Fontana. Later, Pope Innocent X (1644-1655) engaged one of the Baroque's most brilliant architects, Francesco Borromini, to transform St. John Lateran's interior in time for the Jubilee of 1650. Finally, Pope Clement XII (17301740) launched a competition for the design of a new facade, which was completed by Alessandro Galilei in 1735.

Of the original Lateran basilica and palace, only the Popes' private chapel, the Sancta Sanctorum (See Inside the Vatican, August-September 1995) remains. Sixtus V removed this magnificently-frescoed shrine to what has become a grimy traffic island. As an approach to the chapel, Sixtus moved from the Lateran Palace the Scala Santa, the stair case which Jesus is believed to have ascended to Pontius Pilate's palace in Jerusalem, and according to tradition, was brought to Rome by St. Helena herself.

Many important historic events have taken place in St. John Lateran, including 5 Ecumenical Councils and many diocesan synods. In 1929 the Lateran Pacts, which established the territory and status of the State of Vatican City, were signed here between the Holy See and the Government of Italy.

The offices of the Cardinal Vicar of Rome now occupy the Lateran Palace. On July 27, 1992, a bomb explosion devastated the facade of the Rome Vicariate at St. John Lateran. The attack is widely assumed to have been the work of the Italian Mafia, a warning against Pope John Paul II's frequent anti-Mafia statements. Repairs were recently completed, in January 1996.

The Popes now reside at the Vatican, and since the fifteenth century, St. Peter's Basilica has hosted most important papal ceremonies. Every year, until this year, The Papal custom has been that during the Holy Thursday Liturgy, celebrated at the Lateran Basilica, the Holy Father symbolically washes the feet of priests chosen from various parts of the world.

Parish Pilgrimage - Day 3 - Wednesday, October 9

Today we had the thrill of attending a Papal Audience with Pope Francis (and, according to my ticket number for the General Audience, 24, 420 of our closest friends). 

As we entered the Square, we made our way up toward the barricade because knowing how the motorcade goes, I wanted us to have an up close view of the Pope - so we waited at the barricade for several hours - talking and praying and meeting people from all over the world - until it was time.  And we did see him up close!  Some of our other pilgrims got some very good photos - this is the best one I could capture as I was too excited at seeing our new Holy Father, Pope Francis.  What a blessing that he is the third pope that I've been able to see in person!

The thrill of seeing the Holy Father, the successor of St. Peter and the Vicar of Christ in person...  It was certainly a great thrill for all our pilgrims!

If you'd like to read the Pope's homily at today's audience, click here...  It was all about the word "Catholic" and what it truly means to be the Catholic Church.  

Following a very long time standing in the general audience area, we headed to lunch.  Following lunch we were off to the Vatican Museum where we met our guide for the afternoon, and went into the Vatican Museums, where we saw many statues - mostly from Imperial Rome - and many Sarcophagi.  Then to the map room and the tapestry hall.  The tapestry shown here depicts the election of a pope during a conclave - look at the surprised expression on the face of the "winner" - and the guy looking into the chalice for any remaining votes.

Then, our tour finally let us to the most famous place on earth - the Sistine Chapel.  Because it is a chapel, and thus a holy place, you can take no photos there.  So you'll have to manage with this "virtual tour" of the Sistine Chapel.  

Then we went directly into St. Peter's Basilica - where we saw the famous Pieta, the Bernini Columns at the high altar (where only the Pope can say Mass), the altars/tombs of Blessed (soon to be Saint) John Paul II and John XXIII.  Then we hurried to Santa Maria Maria in Transportina church for Mass.  Then back to teh hotel for some rest before dinner.

Another full day tomorrow!  Starting with Mass in the catacombs and visits to the other 3 Papal Basilicas (St. Paul outside the Walls, St. John Lateran, and St. Mary Major).

Parish Pilgrimage - Day 2 - Tuesday, October 8

After landing in Amsterdam (aboard a KLM flight), the transferring to our flight to Rome, we arrived about noontime at our hotel and checked in.  Then after a time to freshen up after the LONG overnight flight (BUT NO NAPPING!), we walked the 2 kilometers from our hotel to St. Peter's Square, where we met Deacon Kyle Sahd. 

We immediately walked up the hill from the Square toward the North American College (the NAC) - where our men from the United States who are studying in Rome live.  Here we celebrated Mass with Deacon Sahd assisting.  

We went up to the roof of the NAC for a most spectacular view of Rome & St. Peter's.  Here's our group - not looking too worn out despite the travel and time change - excited to be in Rome, I guess.  

Then to the hotel for dinner and a GOOD night's rest.

Our day tomorrow begins with a Papal Audience! 

Parish Pilgrimage - Monday, October 7

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Today our pilgrims gathered for Mass at 12 noon at St. Andrew Parish before beginning our journey to Dulles airport for our overnight flight to Europe.  We arrive mid-morning in Rome - and will be checking in to the hotel, then immediately going down to St. Peter's Square to meet DEACON Kyle Sahd, and go to the North American College for Mass.  

Worldwide Holy Hour

Yesterday (on what was Corpus Christi here in the United States), at 11am Eastern Time, the entire Catholic world was to be united in a world-wide Eucharistic Holy Hour.  Pope Francis called for the day to pray for 2 very specific intentions

First: “For the Church spread throughout the world and united today in the adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist as a sign of unity. May the Lord make her ever more obedient to hearing his Word in order to stand before the world ‘ever more beautiful, without stain or blemish, but holy and blameless.’ That through her faithful announcement, the Word that saves may still resonate as the bearer of mercy and may increase love to give full meaning to pain and suffering, giving back joy and serenity.”

Second: “For those around the world who still suffer slavery and who are victims of war, human trafficking, drug running, and slave labour. For the children and women who are suffering from every type of violence. May their silent scream for help be heard by a vigilant Church so that, gazing upon the crucified Christ, she may not forget the many brothers and sisters who are left at the mercy of violence. Also, for all those who find themselves in economically precarious situations, above all for the unemployed, the elderly, migrants, the homeless, prisoners, and those who experience marginalization. That the Church’s prayer and its active nearness give them comfort and assistance in hope and strength and courage in defending human dignity.”

The Vatican says that this is the first time in history when people from all over the globe were called upon to pray at the same time.  The Catholic Church, fulfilling the prophecy of Malachi (1:11) and Psalm 113, prays "from the rising of the sun to its setting" - because she encompasses the entire world - and so somewhere, someone is praying at every moment.  But to pray all at the same time is something new and unique - like so many things about Pope Francis' Papacy...

It's been a while...

I know, I know - I haven't blogged lately.  But while I was away - it was difficult.  Then when I realize that there only a dozen or so followers, compared to the amount of time it takes me to do this blog, I decided to give it a rest. 

But last night, some members of Parish Council asked why I hadn't updated the blog in a while.  Perhaps there are more people viewing it than the 12+ followers...

So, give me a little time today, and I'll see if I can get back to it...


Fr. Bateman