12th to 24th September 2011
| Early on the morning of 12th September 2011, 23 bleary
eyed pilgrims boarded JET2.com flight LS791 to Rome Fiumicino airport at
the beginning of a 12 day pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi and Palazzola. The pilgrims were Christine Bodley, Anne & Brian Cunningham, Joan Fitzgerlad, Thelma Gownlock, Ruth Hamilton, Ninette Harris, Elsie Hedges, Elizabeth Humphries, Father Paul & Andrea Lomas, Delia & Peter Lucas, Bernadette & John McNaughton, Sandra McDermott, Audrey O'Brien, Celia Rollason, Graham Rollason, Bernard Ronan, Ellen Shaw & Barbara Warren. They would all be joined by Anthony Coles in Rome, Antony being the pilgrimage organiser and leader (Delia & Peter Lucas were the local parish co-ordinators)
ROME - Monday 12th September... Transfer to
The Lancelot Hotel
was by
Ialungobus
coach. On arrival and settling in we were welcomed with a
wonderful outdoor lunch on the vine
Tuesday 13th September... An early start this morning
to visit the
Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the
We then returned to our hotel and the
afternoon was free for personal sightseeing with suggestions for visits to
Wednesday 14th September... Wednesday morning was free with the option of attending the Pope's General Audience in St. Peter's Square to which a number of the group chose to go, although it meant an early start. Others in the group had chosen to visit the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. In the afternoon there was a walk over the Esquiline Hill to visit the church of San Alfonso (Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour) and for Mass at 15.30 hrs. After Mass we then moved on to the church of Santa Prassede with its 9th century mosaics and then the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (dedicated to Our Lady). After dinner back the hotel we took a walk on the Caelian Hill to see from where Augustine was sent to England in 597.
Thursday 15th September... A very early (7.00 hrs)
transfer by coach to
Saint Peter's Basilica
for for Mass at 8.00 hrs in
the crypt
The rest of the day was free for individual sightseeing, shopping or just soaking up the unique atmosphere of Rome, as you might sit in one of the many cafes, snack bars or restaurants. On returning to the hotel and enjoying yet another wholesome and filling meal the rest of the evening was free. After such a busy day many just settled for a seat in the bar and glass of whatever took their fancy.
Friday 16th September... This morning we took a trip
by coach to visit the
Catacombs of San Callixtus where we visited burial grounds
that went back to the first century AD. These have been well excavated over
the years and it was fascinating to get this glimpse back into early
Christianity.
Later we all had the privilege of participating in the Mass
celebrated by Father Paul in these historical surroundings.
From the Callixtus Catacombs we then set off on a late morning drive of 4.5 hrs to take us to Assisi.
More Photographs of our time in Rome can be viewed HERE Now let us travel on to ASSISI
|
covered patio.
A real flavour of what was to come throughout our stay in Italy. After
Lunch we visited the 
In the evening at 18.30
hrs we had the option, which many took, of attending vespers with the
Augustinian Sisters at
Walls
the
near
the tomb of Saint Peter. After Mass many of us took the opportunity of
visiting Saint Peter's before the crowds which would soon be milling
around. Some of the more hardy and energetic pilgrims decided to brave the
steep climb of some 323 steps to the top of St. Peter's dome - and what a
climb it was!
but the views over Rome were magnificent and well worth the effort.
