August
18, 2000, Day 12
Diary from Jessica Roll
Today started off with yet another far-too-early wake up call (7:30am). Then we
all went to a catechesis at St. Paul's Basilica. Parishes from all around the
states, the UK, New Zealand, and various other places gathered to participated in song,
prayer, and conversation. We also heard a speech from a cardinal who also did a
question and answer session. From there we wnt to lunch at another Salvatore (the
bus driver) pick. Then we went to an interesting tour of the Catacombs. It was
the first cool-temperatured environment we've encountered the whole trip. A quick
bus ride and walk then led us to the church of St. Peter in Chains. On the left hand
side of the church was a large portrait on th wall. I don't remember all of the
portrait, but I do remember the strange, menacing Grim Reaper in the center of it.
To my great pleasure we then ate more food. Following dinner we ... ate more food --
gelato -- and I was happy. It was an early night. We returned to the hotel at
about 8:30pm. I took a dip in the pool, was amused by Matt Henry in a Speedo, and
that was the end of the day. Good times all-in-all.
Jessica saying hi (472 kB)
Travel log
Today was a simple day with almost the entire group staying together all day.
Although there was still a lot of walking done, we mostly traveled by bus which made a lot
of the group happy that we were able to avoid the Metro for at least one day. The
first stop was at St. Paul's Outside the Walls because it was originally outside the
physical walls of the city. Here was a large catechesis meeting for the pilgrims to
get a chance to meet the other pilgrims from other far and away places. We also got
a chance to sing, pray, and trade stuff. Our group had to leave at 11:30am with the
rest of the meeting still going on. Nobody complained because we were going to eat
at another one of Salvatore's prime choices. For our main course we had a choice
from a pasta and meat dish or pizza. Afterwards we had a walking tour of one of the
catacombs in the city. Unfortunately, for the sake of keeping the ancient frescoes
(hand paintings) from deteriorating, no cameras were allowed because (as was explained to
us) the light from camera flashes would damage the paintings. Also disappointing, as
mentioned by some of the pilgrims, was the lack of visible bones; our tour did not allow
tourists into the deeper parts of the catacombs which were not excavated. This was
probably to our benefit because since were are such a large group (other pilgrims also
joined our tour) it wasn't difficult for large gaps to appear, causing some in the group
to fear getting lost (we didn't lose anyone, thank goodness). Still, we all
really enjoyed a break from the afternoon sun and the extra cool environment didn't hurt
either. The frescoes were really amazing and we were also able to see the oldest
known hand painting of the Madonna and child. Once we all "arose from the
dead", we walked over to the bus where we were given a tour of different sites in the
city, all in the comforts of the bus and Salvatore's unique driving skills.
Afterwards, we walked to the hidden church of San Pietro in Vincoli, or Saint Peter in
Chains. The church gets its name from the chains (vincoli) proudly clasped in the coffer
with bronze doors under the high altar. According to tradition they are the chains
used to bind St. Peter while he was held captive in the Mamertine prison. Part of
the chains found their way to Constantinople, while the rest were housed in San Pietro by
Pop Leo I. When the two parts were eventually reunited, they are said to have
miraculously fused together. Covering an entire section of the wall to the right of the
altar is Michelangelo's statue of Moses, said to be one of the most powerful of all of his
monumental sculptures. We then went to dinner and (guess what) more gelato. We
were then bussed back to the hotel where a lot of the pilgrims enjoyed an evening
swim. Tomorrow will be another mostly "free" day in Rome where the groups
will get a chance to go off "on their own" and will be culminated by a bus tour
from our beloved bus driver, Salvatore.
More Pictures
Alex at a random hotel
Alex and some people from the catechesis meeting from
Boston & New Mexico
Cardinal who spoke at the morning catechesis session at St. Paul's
A view inside St. Paul's
Group clapping and singing at St. Paul's
A group of people at St. Paul's
Singing and doing hand motions at St. Paul's
A picture on the ceiling of St.Paul's
Katy, Priscilla, and the Weilands at dinner
A group of people at dinner
A group of people at dinner (2)
Jesse and Damien at St. Paul's
Cydney and Kate at lunch
A group of people at lunch
Jason and Chrissy at lunch
Joe C and Jesse at lunch
Patty and Jessica H at lunch
Ryan, Becky, and Brian H at lunch
Sean, Tom, Matt L, and Beth at lunch
Stacy and Erin at lunch
Therese, Megan, and Jen at lunch
Ryan, Therese and Ann
A glimpse inside St. Peter in Chains Church
The chains that bound St. Peter
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