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!!

The Jewel of the Adriatic.

The next morning we woke up to the sound of motor boats and the calls of gondoliers going down the canals. This particular canal was right down from the alley where our hotel was.

Mary has been to Venice before, so she kindly stayed behind with the boys so the rest of us could tour a museum. Thanks, Auntie Mary!

Scala Contarini del Bovolo, a unique exterior circular staircase, tucked away in a tiny courtyard.

Entering the Piazza San Marco.

11th century basilica directly influenced by the East.

Taking in all the Byzantium beauty.



Entering the Doge's Palace. The Doge was the ruling governor of Venice. The paintings here are amazing.

Peek into the inner courtyard; you can see how the palace sits right behind San Marco.

Walking through the very impressive armory collection.

Different Doges are pictured in many of the paintings in places of Divine favor as seen above.

 The most spectacular room, the giant Hall of the Grand Council, the largest political meeting room in Europe.

 Tintoretto's Paradise, the largest painting in the world.

The Battle of Lepanto.

 I loved the old frescos.

Down in the dungeons...

The famous Bridge of Sighs which connects the Doge's Palace with the prison chambers.

Lovely travel companion.

Both of the above pictures were taken within the same hour - the weather changes fast in the winter in Venice.

 Beautiful Mary!

 We girls headed to San Zaccaria to venerate St. Zechariah's relics, the father of St. John the Baptist.

 We were surprised to see 2 tombs, and upon our transcription of the Latin, we were happy to find that the upper tomb was that of St. Athanasius!

 This church is a museum of art - Tintoretto, Bellini, van Dyck, and many of the more famous Venetian artists.

 We skipped out one night for dinner and gelato!

 Sunday morning, our last day in Venice, we were ecstatic to find the sun out! What a transformation the city undergoes when enveloped in sunlight. We went to San Marco for Mass, and of course couldn't help taking more pictures; what a beautiful place to celebrate the Eucharist and pray at the tomb of another Apostle.

Gorgeous gold-laid interior; no wonder it is nicknamed "Chiesa d'oro" -  Church of gold. The main dome above, depicts Pentecost; the Holy Spirit sending his grace and wisdom to the 12 Apostles.

The tomb of St. Mark.

After Mass, we decided to try a boat trip to one of the outlaying islands and headed for Murano, the island famous for hand-blown glass sculptures.

Michael loved being on the boat and with Auntie Mary!

The fog was starting to roll in again, as you can see behind Mary.

 The fog had completely settled in as we reached the first island, and the cold seemed to have doubled. We peeked in a few glass glowing factories and gift shops, but it was too cold to stay long. We'll have to try the islands next time on a warmer, sunnier day.

Coming back into Venice, we enjoyed the beautiful, mysterious fog effect.

 Papa is always checking to make sure his little boys stay warm.

We stopped at many a bridge to watch the boats pass underneath (and to lift the stroller...)

 We wandered into the old medieval part of Venice.

Last shot of Venice heading down the Grand Canal to the train station for the night train home - the Rialto Bridge. Another wonderful Italian city that we did not want to leave!

 Mary, we had such a wonderful time with you!

 And....yes, we are sure!

We love you! Thank you for coming all the way to see us! Come back soon!