St. Peter's Square & Basilica

We were blessed to meet a friend from Spring Hill at St Peter's, Rev. Alex, who gave us a fantastic tour. Thank you Deacon Alex! We'll see you next at your ordination!

The exact location where Pope John Paul II was shot in 1981

Happiness is Playing in St Peter's Square

Entering the Basilica through the Holy Doors. You can only enter the Basilica through the Holy Doors during a "Holy Year." Luckily our pilgrimage to Rome was during the Holy Year of Mercy. Jesus referred to himself as "the door" or "the gate" in John 10:7 when he was explaining that no one will come to the Father except through Him. Passing through the Holy Doors into St. Peter's Basilica represents leaving this world and entering into the presence of God. 

Inside St. Peter's Basilica. As our friend Rev. Alex would say, "Welcome to the Mother Church!"

Bernini's carved alter, built over the tomb of St. Peter

Saint John Paul II's Tomb. This was the most welcoming and emotional part of our pilgrimage for the mama. 6000 miles brought me back to the best teacher I ever had, and my friend and mentor in Christ. John Paul 2 I still love you.

Michelangelo's Pieta - Beautifully displayed in St. Peter's Basilica with a cross behind it and an alter in front of it, to symbolize Mary taking her son off the cross and placing him on the alter for us to encounter in the Holy Eucharist

Ceiling Art - The pictures don't even come close to doing it justice

The Swiss Guard

Castel Sant'Angelo

 The stunning building below is Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome. Fifteen years ago we stumbled upon this structure after getting lost in Rome. We had no idea what it was, but it was so beautiful with angels arching the bridge leading up it. On a clear day with a blue sky it is breathtaking. When someone told me the name of the structure, I decided immediately that when I had kids I would name my first boy Angelo.

And it was a special day when I got to return there with my oldest boy, Angelo

A little history - Built over several years around 130 AD by the Emperor Hadrian on the bank of the Tiber River. It was later used by various popes as a fortress and has a "not-so-secret" tunnel that connects it to the Vatican. The angels that arch the bridge are holding different elements from the Passion of Christ.

Some of the Angels:

Angel with the Cross

Angel with the Nails

 

Travel Bloopers

It is not wise to try to fit a "minibus" through some of these roads. Ooops. This would not be only instance of damage to the rental car. Who ever made these roads anyway???

 That is not a meatball!!! Very gross when you accidentally order fried bread balls instead of meatballs. Don't let anyone tell you they're good. They are certainly NOT.

Leave it to the non-Italian to tell the family to look at the blueberries. I'll never live it down. Those are definitely not blueberries. They are of course olives, and it's Italy so that's a dead giveaway. But really, when they are on the ground they look like blueberries.

Shrine of Padre Pio

We stopped in the gorgeous and remote town of San Giovanni Rotondo yesterday.  What a site!  This was the home of Saint Padre Pio, and now an amazing shrine dedicated to him. This is the second most visited Catholic Shrine in the world. 

At first we were not impressed by the modern look of the massive shrine, but we were soon blown away by how gorgeous it was. It hovers in the mountains above the Italian countryside filled with olive groves and grape vines. The inside is colorful and contains the most beautiful mosaics we have ever seen.

The adoration chapel

Saint Padre Pio is an incorruptible, meaning his body does NOT decompose!  A miracle in itself.

We had the amazing privilege and good fortune of walking in on a mass being said at Saint Padre Pio's resting place. We were able to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist right in front of an incorruptible saint. It was a powerful experience. One of the highlights of our trip for sure.

Here are a few of the mosaics depicting Padre Pio's willingness to be like Christ in order to bring that love to Christ's people. Notice the blood on his hands and feet where he suffered from the stigmata for 50 years. 

This is the Church where Padre Pio said mass every day, Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Saint Padre Pio was a conduit of God's mercy for millions of people, spending countless hours in this confessional.

Ancient Olive Groves

Olive groves are everywhere in Puglia. We came across this olive grove on our way to Otranto.  These trees are over 1000 years old!  Pretty amazing. 

This region produces more olive oil than anywhere else in the world. The soils are so fertile, notice the rich red color.