There were two lines leading to the Basilica of St. Peter's - one going inside the basilica and the other towards the Vatican Museums. The nun opt to visit the tomb of the late Pope John Paul II within the museum. We followed in tow. Security measures duplicated the ones at any airport today but without the removal of shoes. Why? For reasons unknown, I kept my misgivings regarding the possibility of terrorist attacks to myself. Walking through the maze of artwork in the string of galleries took some twenty or thirty minutes for us who really did not bother to stop and appreciate their lines, color or form. We were fully concerned in paying our respects to the much-loved Pontiff of our time- John Paul II and nothing more. Besides we were on time constraints.
The tomb of the late Pope John Paul II was the grand finale of the Vatican Museum tour. It was as simple as the man who lay there! We bowed our heads in prayer for someone who had touched the hearts of
Catholics all over the world. In fact, his influence crossed the barriers of distance, race, religion or gender. He was respected and deeply loved as the Vicar of Christ on earth!
My thoughts went back to that memorable day in October, 1999 when Glo Reyes and Vangie Chaves, my two very good friends and travel mates were with me in Rome. Through a lady in our tour group whom I helped find the Secretariat of the Office of Social Affairs near the Trevi fountain, we managed to get seats for an audience with the late Pope John Paul II. Being in a strategic preferred area, I had a handshake with the Pope. I remember clasping his right hand which was big but was so very smooth like that of a baby. His smiles reflected on his blue eyes and the cordial touch of his hand truly lifted my spirits to high heavens! I knew even then that the memory of the warm handshake would be forever etched in my mind and heart.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
September 3,2009 Visit to the Vatican
The nun took us from the Vaticano Bustop to the Piazza of St. Peter's which was quite a walk. However, we were amply rewarded by the beautiful panorama of Christendom's largest and most important church in the world. The huge dome brilliantly shining against the noonday sun stood triumphant atop the enormous basilica with its "embracing arms " of Bernini columns. It made a dramatic backdrop to the huge fountain at the center of the wide plaza.
Amidst the exchange of pleasantries among us and with the nun whose name has escaped my memory, we walked across the cobbled stones of centuried past. And my happy past connected with the cobble-stoned piazza flashed back to my memory-the memorable handshake with the late Pope John Paul II in October 1999. Once again I felt the warmth of indescribable peace and passion flow within my being! My joy knew no bounds though a streak of pride creeped its ugly head ashore. I felt like the "chosen one" among the thousands of pilgrims, tourists and visitors standing in either of the two security lines in the distance.
Amidst the exchange of pleasantries among us and with the nun whose name has escaped my memory, we walked across the cobbled stones of centuried past. And my happy past connected with the cobble-stoned piazza flashed back to my memory-the memorable handshake with the late Pope John Paul II in October 1999. Once again I felt the warmth of indescribable peace and passion flow within my being! My joy knew no bounds though a streak of pride creeped its ugly head ashore. I felt like the "chosen one" among the thousands of pilgrims, tourists and visitors standing in either of the two security lines in the distance.
Rome At Last !!!
The fatigue from the long journey from San Francisco prevented us to follow the itinerary which proposed an afternoon visit to the Vatican. We spent the rest of September 2,2009, our first day in Rome inside our quarters. The evening was made eventful by Beth hosting our first dinner together with her Cup-O-Noodles. Soup and noodles never tasted that good! The laughter and camaraderie during the modest repast paled, by comparison, any banquet of fine cuisine. Pat took pictures and video for posterity.
" Thank you, Grace," was the refrain from everyone in the group the next morning. Why? Firstly, because the ECO Hotel was a recent construction so that the reasonably-sized, comfortable bedrooms and picture-perfect bathrooms had matching color scheme throughout. Secondly, and perhaps, more importantly, because we were offered a free buffet breakfast during our stay. There was a generous supply of Italian meat, cold cuts, bread, beverage, desserts, fruits, etc. We could not resist the temptation to pack sandwich or fruit for the mid morning snack. What a big savings the free buffet breakfast offered us. God is so good!
True to form, we, "budget travelers," decided to use public transport in going to the Vatica since the ECO Hotel was some distance from the center of the city. We bought 4 Euros worth of bus tickets from a "Tabaco", a small general merchandise store. The kind, elderly man and woman,
presumably the shop owners, gave us instructions on where to get on and off the bus for St.Peter's Basilica.
"Remember the 14th bustop," the old woman reminded us with her right forefinger up in the airr. As we turned to leave saying, "Grazie, Grazie," I quickly associated the information with the Stations of the Cross - 14. I knew that would help me remember.
I had been to the Vatican before when tour buses would take pilgrims almost at the doorstep of St. Peter's Basilica. But now, I was supposed to act as tour guide but the row of tall buildings and shops obscured the outline of the famous dome. As usual, I prayed for help and quoted one of my favorite Bible passages, " I sought the Lord and He answered me, He freed me from all my fears." In an instant, I heard Beth's voice talking with someone, a nun -a Filipino nun! My chest lowered and my shoulders eased back as I heaved a big sigh of relief, "Thank you, Lord, thank you!"
The nun took us from the Vaticano Bustop to the Piazza of St. Peter's. It was quite a walk
but when we entered the confines of the piazza with the majestic dome on top of the Sanctuary of the Roman Catholic World at a dustance, our hearts must have marched to loud martial music.In fact, through the corner of my eye, I saw the wide-eyed, jaw-dropping look on Edda's face while her feet took lilting giant strides to the rythm in the air. I have seen the panorama unfold before my eyes a number of times but I still manifest the wonder and awe of it all! I guess every Catholic Christian worth his name is affected in the very same way.
" Thank you, Grace," was the refrain from everyone in the group the next morning. Why? Firstly, because the ECO Hotel was a recent construction so that the reasonably-sized, comfortable bedrooms and picture-perfect bathrooms had matching color scheme throughout. Secondly, and perhaps, more importantly, because we were offered a free buffet breakfast during our stay. There was a generous supply of Italian meat, cold cuts, bread, beverage, desserts, fruits, etc. We could not resist the temptation to pack sandwich or fruit for the mid morning snack. What a big savings the free buffet breakfast offered us. God is so good!
True to form, we, "budget travelers," decided to use public transport in going to the Vatica since the ECO Hotel was some distance from the center of the city. We bought 4 Euros worth of bus tickets from a "Tabaco", a small general merchandise store. The kind, elderly man and woman,
presumably the shop owners, gave us instructions on where to get on and off the bus for St.Peter's Basilica.
"Remember the 14th bustop," the old woman reminded us with her right forefinger up in the airr. As we turned to leave saying, "Grazie, Grazie," I quickly associated the information with the Stations of the Cross - 14. I knew that would help me remember.
I had been to the Vatican before when tour buses would take pilgrims almost at the doorstep of St. Peter's Basilica. But now, I was supposed to act as tour guide but the row of tall buildings and shops obscured the outline of the famous dome. As usual, I prayed for help and quoted one of my favorite Bible passages, " I sought the Lord and He answered me, He freed me from all my fears." In an instant, I heard Beth's voice talking with someone, a nun -a Filipino nun! My chest lowered and my shoulders eased back as I heaved a big sigh of relief, "Thank you, Lord, thank you!"
The nun took us from the Vaticano Bustop to the Piazza of St. Peter's. It was quite a walk
but when we entered the confines of the piazza with the majestic dome on top of the Sanctuary of the Roman Catholic World at a dustance, our hearts must have marched to loud martial music.In fact, through the corner of my eye, I saw the wide-eyed, jaw-dropping look on Edda's face while her feet took lilting giant strides to the rythm in the air. I have seen the panorama unfold before my eyes a number of times but I still manifest the wonder and awe of it all! I guess every Catholic Christian worth his name is affected in the very same way.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Off to Rome!
Tomorrow I will be leaving for Rome, Italy. I'm so excited about this trip although this will be my 8th trip to Rome. Can you believe it?! But I am thrilled to be back to the Eternal City where ancient and contemporary architectural forms blend beautifully together. But the basic reason to be in Italy at this time of the year would be to view the incorrupt body of St. Padre Pio, the Franciscan Capuchin friar, who died 40 years ago on September 23, 1968. When he was still a young priest, he acquired the "stigmata", the five wounds of Jesus on the hands, shoulders, heart and feet. His "stigmata" caused him immense pain, ridicule, hate, and insults of unprecedented proportions from believers and unbelievers alike. To think that he bore the wounds for 50 years!
This pilgrimage to Rome and San Giovanni Rotondo of St. Padre Pio was made most enjoyable in the company of my sister, Beth, my sister-in-law Nieves, my cousin, Tina Dizon, my "balae" Lily and her daughter-in-law, Edda and my very good friends, Pat and Violet Corkery. Except for Edda, we had all been together in trips to Europe before and had further nourished our friendship through the frequent mini-reunions we have had.
The Northwest Airlines flight was scheduled to leave San Francisco Airport early in the morning. As such, the group should be assembled at 7 AM so as to check-in at the same time. You can just imagine the look in their faces when I showed up, "body and soul", so to speak , right on time. For one who is known to be "always late" I really surprised them! The laughter that ensued by my unepected feat heralded a wonderful beginning for the pilgrimage.
Like seasoned globetrotters, we survived the 9-hour-flight from San Francisco to Amsterdam and another 3 1/2 hours to the Fumicino Airport, the Gateway to Rome. To have survived the discomfort associated with long flights did not, however, save us from some aches and pains. Somehow, the thought of a good night's rest in a cool, clean hotel room would renew our energy for the planned activites ahead.
ECO HOTEL located in the outskirts of Rome offered the answer to our prayer! It was a recently constructed hotel with a specific color scheme for each room and exhibited such elegant taste in its furnishings. To top it all, we had the daily buffet breakfast which was lavish in the true sense of the word! If we can put another star to its "generosity", they did not seem to mind our helping ourselves to a sandwich and fruit "to go." Who will not welcome the savings for snacks?
This pilgrimage to Rome and San Giovanni Rotondo of St. Padre Pio was made most enjoyable in the company of my sister, Beth, my sister-in-law Nieves, my cousin, Tina Dizon, my "balae" Lily and her daughter-in-law, Edda and my very good friends, Pat and Violet Corkery. Except for Edda, we had all been together in trips to Europe before and had further nourished our friendship through the frequent mini-reunions we have had.
The Northwest Airlines flight was scheduled to leave San Francisco Airport early in the morning. As such, the group should be assembled at 7 AM so as to check-in at the same time. You can just imagine the look in their faces when I showed up, "body and soul", so to speak , right on time. For one who is known to be "always late" I really surprised them! The laughter that ensued by my unepected feat heralded a wonderful beginning for the pilgrimage.
Like seasoned globetrotters, we survived the 9-hour-flight from San Francisco to Amsterdam and another 3 1/2 hours to the Fumicino Airport, the Gateway to Rome. To have survived the discomfort associated with long flights did not, however, save us from some aches and pains. Somehow, the thought of a good night's rest in a cool, clean hotel room would renew our energy for the planned activites ahead.
ECO HOTEL located in the outskirts of Rome offered the answer to our prayer! It was a recently constructed hotel with a specific color scheme for each room and exhibited such elegant taste in its furnishings. To top it all, we had the daily buffet breakfast which was lavish in the true sense of the word! If we can put another star to its "generosity", they did not seem to mind our helping ourselves to a sandwich and fruit "to go." Who will not welcome the savings for snacks?
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