Rome — Final day(s)
Well, we’ve all arrived home safely and I finally have the convenience of using a wireless internet that works so I can update you on everything that happened the last two days of our trip. Sunday was absolutely incredible. We split up and half of us went to see the ruins of an old military base on the coast and the other half of us went to Mass at the Vatican. Both groups had a fantastic time. I went with the group that attended Mass and it was breathtaking. The Salgado family had a particularly miraculous experience (if I may be so bold to call it that). They were asked to carry up the gifts at the Mass and Mrs. Salgado was asked to read the second reading. She read beautifully in Spanish and the Salgado children and father did a wonderfully graceful job bringing up the gifts. The Mass processional was the longest I had ever experienced. There were 60 + priests, 20+ Bishops and one Cardinal who all sat behind the altar. It was so moving that by the time the Salgado family got to carry up the gifts, myself, and I’m sure those around me (Mrs. Witka in particular) had tears streaming down our cheeks. After Mass we rushed outside because at 12:00 every Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI gives an address and a blessing. It was amazing. When we had gone into the Mass that morning there had hardly been anyone on in St. Peter’s Square but by the time we emerged from the Vatican doors, thousands upon thousands of people had crowded into the square. There were giant banners, songs ringing through the air in every language, and people shouting and smiling and waving. The window of his personal quarters had an ornate red rug draped from the balcony and 10 minutes later, the Pope appeared in front of his adoring people. He addressed us in Italian for a while and talked about the Feast of St. Peter and Paul that was this weekend and is a huge holiday in Rome, then gave a blessing, and then said something short in about 9 different languages so that everyone could understand him. After Pope Benedict retired to his private quarters we went to eat lunch and then met up with the other half of the group for rehearsal for the big performance.
St. Maria di Sopra Minerva is a beautiful church located a stone’s throw away from the Pantheon and provided an amazing background both acoustically and aesthetically. The combined choir sang in Latin, Italian, Gaelic, and English. Their performance was as beautiful as the church, maybe even more so if that’s possible.
All in all, it was a wonderful trip. There were very few, if any hitches, and everyone had a great time. I want to say a big congratulations to the Cathedral Choir for their talent, maturity, and professionalism in both their performances and behavior. They represented Cathedral so well!!! It seemed they sang their Irish Blessing whenever they had the opportunity and musically left their mark on a beautiful, beautiful city.
Sarah Morone
