Note: I’m writing and posting as I have time on our trip, so the posting dates do not correspond with the actual dates the events took place. For instance, I’m posting this on Wednesday, July 5, this actually happened on Sunday, July 1, 2012.
This day was so special, that I’m going to break the post up into two parts—Part 1: Day Two of the Vatican and Part 2: Euro Cup Championship Game.
We woke up early again to return to the Vatican before it was too hot and the lines too long to climb to the top of St. Peter’s dome (or Cupola). We only had to wait in the security line for about 15 minutes, and then we were able to walk right into the stairwell of the dome without waiting! We hiked to the top of the dome (the more than 500 steps felt like a piece of cake after climbing the Duomo in Florence and the steps in Cinque Terre) and took in the amazing views of the Vatican and Rome. Behind the church we saw the Vatican courtyards, gardens and museum. From the front we could also see down into St. Peter’s Square. All around we saw the sprawling city of Rome—with views as far as Piazza Venezia and the Roman Forum.
We hiked back down the steps, which led us directly inside St. Peter’s Basilica. This worked out perfectly as it was now 10 a.m., and Mass would be held inside the church at 10:30. Thank goodness we were there 30 minutes early, as the pews quickly filled to the max and visitors were turned away to standing-room-only areas in the back.
I could not wrap my head around this—we were sitting in a pew inside St. Peter’s Basilica waiting for Sunday Mass to start. How is this happening to me?!?! This experience reminded me of just how blessed I am as I soaked in the setting around me and thanked God for making this possible.
This experience moved me to tears at several points. The first of which was watching the countless priests, bishops and cardinals proceed through St. Peter’s Basilica and up to the altar where Mass would be said in Latin. An all-male choir sang as the organ played, filling the walls around us with beautiful music. This felt like something so special, reserved for religious and world leaders, royalty, politicians, even celebrities, yet here we sat as part of the congregation. Unbelievable!
The guards gave us booklets so that we could follow along. While we had no idea what was being said, the words didn’t matter. Just being here in this space, surrounded by other visitors from all around the world, sharing in our faith together was incredibly powerful. The Prayers of the Faithful were read by priests in Italian, French and English, and the Sign of Peace was said in countless languages.
I was moved to tears again as we walked up to receive communion in front of the most gorgeous altar I’d ever laid eyes on. Taking communion in this space sent chills down my spine yet again. Mass soon commenced and the clergy proceeded out of the church just as they had entered.
Walking away, we saw nearly hundreds of people lined up in the back, craning their necks to catch a view. Knowing what we had just experienced brought tears to my eyes for the third time. I will remember this hour and half for the rest of my life!
As if this day hadn’t been special enough already, we exited the church at 11:55 a.m., only to find out that the Pope would give a blessing to the crowd gathered in the square at noon. We walked as quickly as we could to get a spot in the square, just below the window where the Pope would appear.
Right at 12 p.m., Pope Benedict XVI appeared in the window waving his hands to the crowd below. Groups of people were gathered waving their country’s flag and holding signs. I cannot find the words to describe just how surreal this experience was. The Pope was looking down near where we had just climbed a few hours earlier and now here we are hearing his blessing. He spoke for about 30 minutes (his voice booming over speakers in the square). He read the Gospel we had heard earlier in the Mass and then delivered a blessing in no less than 7 different languages. He said: “To my English-speaking visitors … we pray for all those in need of His healing touch. We pray for God’s blessings of wisdom, joy and peace.” (Kyle captured this on film, which I will post when we get back home.) Then, just as soon as he appeared, he was gone again.
What a mind-boggling, absolutely perfect day (and it was only 12:30)!
This day was so special, that I’m going to break the post up into two parts—Part 1: Day Two of the Vatican and Part 2: Euro Cup Championship Game.
We woke up early again to return to the Vatican before it was too hot and the lines too long to climb to the top of St. Peter’s dome (or Cupola). We only had to wait in the security line for about 15 minutes, and then we were able to walk right into the stairwell of the dome without waiting! We hiked to the top of the dome (the more than 500 steps felt like a piece of cake after climbing the Duomo in Florence and the steps in Cinque Terre) and took in the amazing views of the Vatican and Rome. Behind the church we saw the Vatican courtyards, gardens and museum. From the front we could also see down into St. Peter’s Square. All around we saw the sprawling city of Rome—with views as far as Piazza Venezia and the Roman Forum.We hiked back down the steps, which led us directly inside St. Peter’s Basilica. This worked out perfectly as it was now 10 a.m., and Mass would be held inside the church at 10:30. Thank goodness we were there 30 minutes early, as the pews quickly filled to the max and visitors were turned away to standing-room-only areas in the back.
I could not wrap my head around this—we were sitting in a pew inside St. Peter’s Basilica waiting for Sunday Mass to start. How is this happening to me?!?! This experience reminded me of just how blessed I am as I soaked in the setting around me and thanked God for making this possible.
This experience moved me to tears at several points. The first of which was watching the countless priests, bishops and cardinals proceed through St. Peter’s Basilica and up to the altar where Mass would be said in Latin. An all-male choir sang as the organ played, filling the walls around us with beautiful music. This felt like something so special, reserved for religious and world leaders, royalty, politicians, even celebrities, yet here we sat as part of the congregation. Unbelievable!The guards gave us booklets so that we could follow along. While we had no idea what was being said, the words didn’t matter. Just being here in this space, surrounded by other visitors from all around the world, sharing in our faith together was incredibly powerful. The Prayers of the Faithful were read by priests in Italian, French and English, and the Sign of Peace was said in countless languages.
I was moved to tears again as we walked up to receive communion in front of the most gorgeous altar I’d ever laid eyes on. Taking communion in this space sent chills down my spine yet again. Mass soon commenced and the clergy proceeded out of the church just as they had entered.
Walking away, we saw nearly hundreds of people lined up in the back, craning their necks to catch a view. Knowing what we had just experienced brought tears to my eyes for the third time. I will remember this hour and half for the rest of my life!
As if this day hadn’t been special enough already, we exited the church at 11:55 a.m., only to find out that the Pope would give a blessing to the crowd gathered in the square at noon. We walked as quickly as we could to get a spot in the square, just below the window where the Pope would appear.
Right at 12 p.m., Pope Benedict XVI appeared in the window waving his hands to the crowd below. Groups of people were gathered waving their country’s flag and holding signs. I cannot find the words to describe just how surreal this experience was. The Pope was looking down near where we had just climbed a few hours earlier and now here we are hearing his blessing. He spoke for about 30 minutes (his voice booming over speakers in the square). He read the Gospel we had heard earlier in the Mass and then delivered a blessing in no less than 7 different languages. He said: “To my English-speaking visitors … we pray for all those in need of His healing touch. We pray for God’s blessings of wisdom, joy and peace.” (Kyle captured this on film, which I will post when we get back home.) Then, just as soon as he appeared, he was gone again.
What a mind-boggling, absolutely perfect day (and it was only 12:30)!
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