Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Events of the Weekend

Apologies about the last post. I got several comments complaining about the post and many of my readers advised that this was not the appropriate medium to air such private feelings. I have removed the post for the time being, but if you want to read it or actually enjoyed it, leave me a comment or send me an email.

I've been off adventuring again, and so there's a couple days worth of stories and pictures. Last post of any substance was Tuesday, so I'll briefly run through Wednesday-Monday.

Wednesday- We went to the last Papal audience on Wednesday, before the Pope travels during the summer and when audiences become dangerous to heat and sun exposure. A lot of these photos are self explanatory.

Rear of the PopeMobile

Pope Francis personally greets recently married couples and offers them a special blessing after the audiences. Shows how important the Sacrament of marriage is to him.
It started to rain, and as one mass all the people put up their umbrellas, during St. Peter's square into a sea of color.
Friday we had a mini work retreat, led by our boss, Fr. Mark Haydu. The beginning of the retreat we visited the local seminarian college, where a replica of the Shroud of Turin is kept, and had one of the priests explain the blending of science and faith that makes the Shroud such an important piece for the religious world. I felt it inappropriate to take a photo of the Shroud, but I did get some other interesting photos, that gave a different look into the Passion of Jesus.
What the actual tomb of Jesus may have looked like
A different concept of the crown of thorns
Roman whip
Friday evening one of my really good friends from Notre Dame, Jenny, arrived from France for a visit and one of her childhood friends came down from Venice and we spent Friday evening and Saturday exploring the city. We also found the best gelato place in Rome. Sunday we went to the Papal mass, and then Alyse went one way to Venice, and after some hassle, confusion and stress, Jenny headed back over the Atlantic to Chicago. More to come!
Colosseum interior
Pantheon
Top of the Spanish steps
Jenny and myself outside the Colosseum
At the Pantheon
With Alyse taking a selfie eating gelato!! Can it get any more epic?









2 comments:

  1. Great pictures. I love seeing the Pope mobile up close - a Mercedes jeep! You must appreciate how well acquainted you're becoming with Rome when you can share it with others. The Friday work retreat must have been both interesting and emotionally draining. After this busy weekend, I can understand how fatigued you were when we Skyped on Sunday. Take care of yourself.

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  2. Eating gelato with young ladies in Rome - you've journeyed a long way from Leeds, ME.

    Your little brother would have a great time with the Pope Mobile.

    Dad

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