Theotokos. Santa Maria Maggiore
Hour seemed to drag slowly when you are waiting. Half an hour before the schedule of our trip back to Rome, we went to the correct track and waited for our train. We made sure that we will not miss this train! I really want to go back to Rome! 10 minutes before schedule there was still no train. I was beginning to get worried but there were many of us waiting for the train. A few minutes later, our train arrived. Padre and I boarded the train. Just being inside the train was a big relief! Our trip back to Rome took almost 5 hours. Nothing really to see because it was very dark outside and I couldn’t sleep because the train did not dim the lights. The chair was also uncomfortable! We arrived in Termini at around 7:00am!
We went straight to our hotel. We took a bath , had breakfast then went to Santa Maria Maggiore for mass. It was raining hard and I wore my light neon blue vinyl rain coat on our way to the basilica. People were staring at me as my raincoat had a very unusual color. Everybody else was wearing sober black. Padre celebrated mass with some priest of the Work at the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.
On our way to the hotel, we passed by a discount supermarket where I bought some Parmesan Cheese. We dropped these at the hotel and went straight to the Vatican. Padre was going to mail some postcards while I had to go to Soprani to buy some souvenirs to give away. To my surprise, Soprani was still packed! But since this was my last day, I had no choice but to line up. I bought rosaries and medallions of our Father. I gave all these to Fr Luis so that he could take these to San Eugenio and be blessed by the Father.
The Imperial Forum
The Coliseum
We then went to St Peters to mail Padre’s postcards. After this, we went back to our hotel area and had lunch there. I spent the early afternoon sleeping. I was really very tired! Padre had to meet Fr Boy because the would go to San Eugenio for the last Thanksgiving mass celebrated by the Father. I couldn’t join him because I have no ticket. (it was only for associates and numeraries!)
I woke up at around 4:00pm. I was still very tired but I had some sight seeing to do. I walked to Piazza Rotonda to the Pantheon. I bought a mint chip gelato close to the Pantheon. I also went to visit a famous coffee shot, Tazza D' Oro. I was amazed by the variety of coffee available.
After this, we made my way to the Piazza Venezia. I passed by Santa Maria Sopra Minerva on the way to visit the tomb of St Catherine of Sienna. The Church was very dark when I got there.
From Piazza Venezia, I went to the Imperial Forum. This time I made a thorough tour of this place. I had wanted to visit Santa Maria in Cosmedin but the gate from the forum to that church was closed. So I just went for the Coliseum went to the Metro to go to San Eugenio.
I arrived at around 6:30. The mass wasn’t over yet so I stayed outside the gate together with some Peruvian kids. Suddenly it started to drizzle. I was almost in panic. There was cover anywhere and the side walk was filled with people!! I started to say a prayer card to our Father to stop the rain. The sky cleared up!! Gratias tibi Deus! I’m sure I wasn’t the only one saying a prayer to our Father.
At around 7:15 the van carrying the mortal remains of our Father came out of San Eugenio. I was just in front of it! This was followed by a car carrying the Father. I had planned to follow the convoy to Villa Tevere but tough luck. The sidewalk from San Eugenio to Villa Tevere was packed on both sides!
Fr Luis came out of San Eugenio at around 7:30 pm. We headed back to Piazza Barberini. We were planning to have dinner at Tullio but the place was packed. We had to settle to the restaurant run the Asian looking lady.
After dinner, we headed back to the hotel for a good nights rest! This was a very long day!
Vittorio Emmanuele Monument (aka the Typewriter) at Piazza Venezia
St Catherine of Sienna