Praying at St. Peter’s

We started the day with a hearty Italian breakfast at Casa Bonus Pastor: bread, bread, more bread, and strong coffee.

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Then we hiked down the Via Aurelia to St. Peter’s. After being re-routed a couple times, we found the correct entrance to attend Mass. (They have Mass almost every hour in one of the side chapels.)

Along the way, we passed the spot where Pope John Paul II was shot—a place, I suspect, many just walk past without giving it a second thought.

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We arrived nearly a half hour early for the 10 am Mass, so we took a few minutes to just soak it all in.

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We found our way to the Chapel of St. Joseph, where one Mass was ending and ours was waiting to begin.

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If you’ve ever wondered how they clean the floor of St. Peter’s, we found out. I think the hire the guy who cleans the ice before the Ranger games.

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The Mass was concelebrated in Italian, ad orientem. I can’t remember the last time I attended Mass this way. One interesting wrinkle, which may be Italian: the congregation spends a lot more time standing during the Eucharistic Prayer.

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After Mass, we wandered around a bit. The place had been almost empty when we arrived, but now was filling up with pilgrims, including groups praying the Stations of the Cross.

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Have I mentioned how stunning this place is? They don’t do anything small.

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Leaving to catch the bus home, we caught sight of these guys: the Vatican security detail. They are armed to the teeth with some very intense-looking rifles—but the hats with the feathers really don’t quite work.

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All I could think of was Peter Pan.

Later today, we head to Santa Susanna to pick up our tickets for tomorrow’s papal audience, and then we’re off to Lo Scarpone to celebrate our anniversary dinner.

Later!

Photos: Deacon Greg Kandra