THE
P RTAL
Rome and Assisi Supplement
Page i
Ordinariate Pilgrimage to
Rome and Assisi 2013
by Lisbeth Bennison
Having enjoyed
the
first Ordinariate pilgrimage to
Rome in 2012, we were delighted
to read in T he P ortal of this year’s
pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi. On The 2013 Ordinariate Pilgrimage Group
arrival in Rome, which was bathed
in sunshine for the whole of our stay, we were transported to our comfortable hotel within sight of St Peter’s
dome. Our first Mass in the Holy City was concelebrated by our Ordinary and some Ordinariate priests at
Santo Spirito in Salsa. The peace of the setting was palpable after our busy day.
Dinner was at La Vittoria; we recognised faces from
the previous year together with many first timers
whom we got to know over the coming days. Walking
back to the hotel, we discovered that the church next
door was open for constant prayer for His Holiness
Pope Benedict XVI in the final days of his Pontificate.
once in a lifetime experience
The following day at St Peter’s Basilica we witnessed
the preparations for the General Audience the next day.
After lunch at our 2012 “local” where we were greeted
with open arms, we celebrated Mass at the Catacombs
of St Sebastian following our tour of the tunnels. We
ended the afternoon by visiting the Basilica of St Paul
Outside the Walls before enjoying another delightful
communal dinner at Al Fontanone.
On Wednesday we were in the queue for St Peter’s
Square by 05.45, along with thousands of others,
including a large group from Argentina. When the
security gates finally opened at 08.30 we were carried
along in the crush, being reunited on the other side.
Our efforts were rewarded by seats in the fifth row
immediately behind the clergy and other dignitaries,
affording a wonderful view of the dais. Loud roars
emanated from the crowd when the Holy Father
eventually entered the square in the Popemobile;
balloons, flags and banners fluttering in the breeze.
Following this once in a lifetime experience, for which
mere words are inadequate, we celebrated Mass at
Santa Maria Sopra Minerva and dined at L’Eau Vive.
the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter in
the United States and Monsignor Keith Newton. After
tours of the Vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel,
we headed off to St John Lateran, the Basilica of St
Mary Major and the Scala Santa, which some hardy
individuals climbed on their knees. The day ended
with a visit to the Polese restaurant.
journey