Synod Mass at St. Peter's.

Our last day in Rome happened to be the opening Mass for the Synod of the Family. Our friend Becca who happened to be in Rome that weekend picked up tickets for us and held seats on the aisle so the boys could be close to watch the processionals. We were excited to attend our first papal Mass inside St. Peter's!

Waiting for Mass to begin.

Watching all the bishops and Pope Francis process in. It was a beautiful Mass and Pope Francis preached on the value and beauty of the family, especially as revealed by God.
"What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mk 10:9).  This is an exhortation to believers to overcome every form of individualism and legalism which conceals a narrow self-centeredness and a fear of accepting the true meaning of the couple and of human sexuality in God’s plan... Paradoxically, people today – who often ridicule this plan – continue to be attracted and fascinated by every authentic love, by every steadfast love, by every fruitful love, by every faithful and enduring love.  We see people chase after fleeting loves while dreaming of true love; they chase after carnal pleasures but desire total self-giving."

Michael was sad he couldn't see more.

The recessional. Many bishops stopped to say hello to the boys or give them a blessing.

Michael was waving as hard as he could to Pope Francis, but he didn't stop for anyone on the way out.

The Swiss Guards!

Our wonderful Becca, also a student at ITI.

We stayed for the Angelus immediately afterward.

After lunch and on our way to the train station, we stopped at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggjore to venerate the relics of St. Therese the Little Flower, and the relics of both her parents, Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin, which were all being kept in Rome for the duration of the Family Synod. St. Therese's parents were canonized the next weekend - what a beautiful testimony to the rewards of married life, and possibility for greatness and sainthood even among the diapers and squabbles. It was so special to pray before these relics (the Martins' are on the altar, and St. Therese is below)! A wonderful ending to our weekend in Roma!

A joyful reunion.

We met up with Sisters Catherine and Monica in St. Peter's Square and the boys were so excited to see Auntie Catherine!

 We went back to the apartment to relax and play with the boys. Michael talked Catherine's ear off, filling her in on all his European adventures.

We had a nice cappuccino date that afternoon and caught up on life. So happy to see her!

The next day, we tried to make it in to St. Peter's for a morning Mass, but the line was too long. So, we set off across the Tiber for a walk in hopes of finding another Mass, but late on a Saturday morning, those are hard to find.

In Piazza Navona.

Finally got a shot of how we lug our stroller around!

In San Augostino, playing at the statue of the Madonna of Childbirth. Love all the pink and blue ribbons and notes of thanksgiving hanging near!

Kissing our Lady's foot.

Sr. Monica praying before the tomb of St. Monica.

We met up with a long-time friend of our family's - Fr. Jeffery Keyes - for lunch. Fr. is on sabbatical in Rome for a few months, and it was lovely to see him.

After lunch, Andrew took the boys back to the apartment for a nap, and I walked around Rome with the sisters. It was such a beautiful day!

 

Santa Maria in Vallicella, most commonly known as Chiesa Nuova, where we spent a good while in prayer. The church is the headquarters of the Oratorians. St. Gregory the Great actually built the first church on this site, and it was dedicated to "Our Lady of the Little Valley." This beautiful church was rebuilt in 1575 and has a few Caravaggio's and Rubens' paintings.

 

The tomb of the in-corrupt St. Philip Neri.

The Pantheon.

The tomb of the artist Raphael! Nice to visit after seeing his beautiful work in the Vatican. The inscription reads: Here lies Raphael, by whom Nature feared to be outdone while he lived, and when he died, feared that she herself would die.

Dear Sister Catherine, it was so wonderful to see you! We had a joyous time reconnecting and the boys still speak of you lovingly. We are praying for you on your next adventure in Argentina doing the Lord's work! We love you!!