Day 9 - A Colossal Day

The final day in Rome started with a visit to the Colosseum. Everyone agreed that you cannot understand it’s scale until you are standing in its long shadow!

The group then walked by the Arch of Constantine and began our descent into the Roman Forum. So much history took place here - the birth of Rome on Palatine Hill, Titus’ Arch, the basilicas, the Temple of Saturn, the Vestal Virgins, Julius Caesar, government buildings, and churches. It was humbling to walk on these ancient roads where so many have once walked.

Our next steps took us to the Mamertine Prison. This is where tradition says both Paul and Peter were both imprisoned before they were martyred for their faith and their preaching. They were seen as a threat to empire because of the way in which their message was giving hope to everyone, not just the powerful and wealthy. The presence in this small space was tangible and overwhelming.

Following lunch, our last stop of the day was the magnificent St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. The Apostle Paul is buried here. The grandiosity and beauty of the space is something few will forget anytime soon. We also had the incredibly unique opportunity to go into the Chapel of St. Benedict to have a service of remembrance of our baptisms. It was a moving experience for everyone.

To close the day, we ate dinner at Alessio and returned to the hotel for our final time of reflection together. You need to know that our tour guide, Helene, was impressed by the sense of community in this group as well as the depth of their questions. This group has been incredible. They have stood out to everyone they have met. They are indeed a group of which we all should be proud.

Thank you for your prayers. See you soon.

Day 8 - Two Cities in Two Countries - Vatican City and Rome

Today, we visited . . .
the Vatican Museum,

the Sistine Chapel (no photos allowed),
St. Peter’s Basilica,

St. Peter’s Square,

the Spanish Steps,

Trevi Fountain,

the Pantheon,

and capped the evening off at
Piazza Navona for dinner

and Giolitti’s for desert.

I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

Thank you for your prayers. We are looking forward to one more really full day!

Day 7 - Sunrise in Samos, Sunset in Rome

We woke up early in Samos and saw the beautiful sunrise.

We boarded two planes, flew over the sea and several islands, and finally arrived in the Eternal City, Rome.

After a short period of rest, we headed out to two spectacular sites.
Santa Maria della Vittoria which houses one of the world’s most beautiful sculptures - Bernini’s Ecstasy of Saint Teresa. It is breathtaking. The entire church is almost more than one can take in. As two students said, “The attention to the smallest detail was overwhelming.” “Every square inch of the church was covered.”

Then we walked down the road to Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri - a basilica designed by Michelangelo inside an ancient Roman bath. The scale of this church is awe inspiring.

We capped our evening off with communion together in the hotel. Our celebrants were Deacon Alaina Slack and Deacon Abbie VanMeter. It was a spiritually moving way to end our first evening I. Rome together. 


We look forward to what tomorrow may bring. 
Thank you for your prayers. 

This Is It

"Love is real" is how one student captured their experience over these last ten days.
Another said, "Love is the most powerful thing."
Helene, our tour guide in Rome, said, "You show one another such love. And everyone wants to be a part of it." She is semiretired and committed to our group because of the legacy of love. She even led parts of our tour that she bormally would not lead just to be around the group.

Tonight, we shared about our experiences together, and the students agree that this is the most accepting and group of people in which they have ever had the privilege of participating. It has been an amazing ten days. This group of students and their adult leaders are absolutely amazing.

We started this trip with the challenge to . . .
Be present.
Move toward one another.
Makes sure no one is left out or left behind.
Care.
Ask the better question.
Be open.
See from someone else's perspective.

We have done all of these things and more.

Today, we added these things as a reminder to take that which we have seen and learned into the rest of our lives . . .
You are loved.
You are accepted.
You are necessary.

Here is what we saw today
The Colosseum

Palatine Hill

The Forum

The Mamertine Prison, where Paul and Peter were prisoners before their executions.

St. Paul's Outside the Walls

What a wonderful day.

Today, we were present.

See you tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers.

Rome - Another Busy Full Day

We got back late last night, so no blog.

Allow me to highlight very briefly our activities of the day . .  .

We started at the Spanish steps.

We then went to the Trevi Fountain.

Then the glory of the Pantheon.

Lunch

A visit to the Vatican Museums.

The Sistine Chapel - no photos, no videos, silence please.

The day was capped off with Giolitti's gelato. The oldest gelato spot in Rome.