At the General Audience with Pope Benedict XVI

Today we were blessed to get good seats at the Holy Father's weekly general audience. The Pope here makes his way through the vast crowds that had gathered in St. Peter's square for the event.

Two hours of waiting in the relentless Roman sun were well worth it to get this photograph of the Holy Father waving to the section of the crowd we were in.

The Holy Father descends to greet the crowds that had gathered in St. Peter's square.

There was at least one ecstatic mother in Rome today as the Pope receives the infant held out to him.

The Pope blesses the crowds at the end of the general audience.

In the afternoon we were able to visit the beautiful basilica of St. Paul's outside the walls.

The nave of the basilica with the confession of St. Paul in the distance, where the body of St. Paul lies below the high altar.

In the confession we were also able to venerate the chains that St. Paul was bound in.

At the end of another tiring day, with the sun setting and the pilgrimage to Rome almost at an end, the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer line up in front of the obelisk in front of St. Peter's basilica.

The Basilica and Catacombs of Saint Sebastian

Once again we were able to start our day at Saint Peter’s Basilica. It was a great joy to be able to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice at the tomb of Saint Gregory the Great.


Later we visited the crypt, and were permitted to go to the various chapels.


What a surprise! As we were in the Vatican, who should we bump into, but one of the Theology professors from the Fraternity of Saint Peter Seminary in Denton NE, Br. Ansgar!


In the Afternoon we were able to visit the catacombs of Saint Sebastian. We took the bus, and walked the last part.


Descending into the Catacombs.


It was a wonderful experience to walk the same paths that so many Saints and Martyrs walked, and to see the places where their mortal remains, after their earthly trials, were finally laid to rest.




Often damage was done to the remains when the tombs were opened. Now, with advances in technology, the tombs are no longer opened. Instead a small hole is drilled in the tomb, and a tiny camera is inserted, so that photos can be taken and the remains examined, without damage to them.


Often the early Christians wrote out their prayers and petitions on pieces of terracotta and stone. Many pieces have been found, and looking closely, many instances of the names of Saints Peter and Paul can be seen.


We ended with a visit to the Basilica of Saint Sebastian.

More from Rome

Another busy day in Rome!

The day began wonderfully with the great privilege of offering the Holy Mass in Saint Peter's.




After morning Mass we were able to take a good look around the Basilica.


The relics of the great Pope Saint Pius X.


The high altar was beautifully illuminated by the morning sun coming through the windows.


We also had the good fortune to clime the dome right to the top. The view of the Vatican and of all Rome was fantastic!


On the top of Saint Peter's.


A visit to the church of Saint Andrew, patron of Scotland.




And then to the Gesu. The Paintings in this Church are really amazing.


The relics of Saint Ignatius Loyola...


...and the incorrupt arm of Saint Francis Xavier.

Visiting Holy Places

Today, the Angel of Orkney favoured us again with generous cloud cover, sufficient breeze and rain. After morning Low Mass we set out to spend the day visiting holy places.

(Click the images to see them clearly)

Solemn High Mass in the church of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.

Then to the Basilica of St. John Lateran....
Dwarfed by the doors, columns....
... inscriptions ...

... and relics...

For example: Beneath this altar is kept the portable wooden altar used by St. Peter to celebrate Mass; it needed to be portable in case of persecution; it is there; we still have it! Above this altar are the holy relics of the skulls of St. Peter and St. Paul. A few yards to the right of this photo is the very table on which Our Divine Lord, on Holy Thursday, offered the first Mass; it is carefully treasured.

Beneath the statue of St. Paul with friends from Ireland.

The highlight of the day was our visit to the Scala Sancta.

Scala Sancta

These are Pilate's steps that Our Lord ascended and descended several times during His Passion. They are now covered with walnut. There were hundreds of people there today. We took our place in the perpetual line of pilgrims ascending the steps on our knees and meditating on the Passion of Our Saviour as we prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. It takes about half an hour to arrive at the top. It seemed that everybody was praying and one cannot but be touched by the devotion of the pilgrims. An old woman near us went up the steps with great difficulty on hands and knees; she was holding her beads and praying earnestly. God bless her and grant her humble petitions.

The Holy Face

At the top of the steps we arrived at this grill behind which is a chapel. An ancient sign reads: "No other place in the city is more holy than here." Through the grill can be seen the image of the Holy Face. St. Luke outlined the face, but angels finished it; therefore it is called "the image not painted by human hands."

St. Peter's Basilica
Tomorrow at 7.00 A.M. we are going to offer Holy Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.

Sung Mass at Holy Mary in Transpontina

(Click images to seem them clearly)

Thanks to the Angel of Orkney, the weather for our second day in the Eternal City was humid with some light breezes and cloud cover.

This morning at 10 A.M. Holy Mass was chanted beneath the miraculous image, and at the altar of, Holy Mary in Transpontina.

The sacred image of Our Lady in this church was brought to Rome from Mount Carmel by the Order of hermits when they had to escape from the Moslems in the 13th Century. It is enshrined above the altar, and beneath the roof of a massive marble crown supported by angels; marble rays, as it were, go forth from the image.

We assure all who have asked for our prayers that they form part of the intentions of the Masses offered during this pilgrimage and that they are entrusted to Our Lady as we visit Her shrines here. Today we especially remembered our Carmelite friends: the Monks in Wyoming and the Nuns in Christchurch.

The Passing Shadow Beneath the Roman Sun

Yesterday, 18th June, the first anniversary of our Reconciliation with the Holy See, Father Michael Mary and the five seminarian Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer took Ryanair to Rome, to be present at today's Papal Vespers of the Sacred Heart, and the opening of the Year for the Priest.

We stood about two hours beneath the Roman Sun before gaining access to St. Peter's Basilica at 4.30 P.M. It was well worth the wait since we were able to be seated well up the front and to be about 4 feet from the Holy Father when he processed past us. The following photographs are taken from this evening's ceremony.

(Left click the photographs to see them clearly.)

Peter passes in the person of Pope Benedict XVI

There is a passage in Acts 5 that speaks of the healing power of Peter's shadow; in some mysterious and spiritual way, it continues on in his successor. There are graces to be received in that shadow for traditional Catholics. We recommend its sweetness.

Benediction was followed by silent adoration.
St. Peter's Basilica silent in adoration with Pope Benedict XVI

Our Shepherd the Holy Father passes "Full in the panting heart of Rome beneath th'apostles' crowning dome..." -Cardinal Wiseman