We woke up early today and after a quick breakfast rushed back to St Peter’s square. We were told to be early today because today was a Monday. That is a normal working day here in Rome. The Metro was packed! I learned that the City of Rome declared that Canonization Pilgrims ride free on the Metro.
I did my 3 Km walk to my area. This time I was with Padre because we were now on the same side. After another exhausting walk and a long line to get through security checks at the gates of the square I was back in Reparto 1. I tried to get a nice location at the sides but NO LUCK! Everybody knew what to do and all corners were filled up first! This time I stayed close to the center.
The prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarria
I was with a group of Americans from Los Angeles (Tilden). Also next to me was a family from Guangzhou, China!! The father was a Cooperator and he even brought along his 3 month old son whose name is Josemaria!
Lauda Ierusalem Dominum, Lauda Deum tuum Filium. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna Filius David!
I have memorized this song by heart. We sang this in all thanksgiving mass.
The mass began much the same as yesterday. But this time, the celebrant was the Father, Bishop Javier Echevarria and concelebrated by the counselors of all the regions.
The whole St Peter's Square was filled with people up to the tip of Via Conciliazione. The feeling was like a big family get together.
During the homily, I made an excuse to go to the toilet. I really wanted a close up shot of the Father. Thankfully, I was allowed to go. The picture on the left is my close up shot.
During communion time, the song Adore te Devote was sang. I sang along to the surprise of the people around me. They find it weird that a Chinese is singing the song in perfect Latin.
After the mass, the Holy Father arrived and gave us an audience. As he made his rounds, people were lining up babies for the pope to kiss. The pope was so impressed that he even joked during the get together that Opus Dei has molti bambini. (many babies)
The crowd just went wild when the pope passed by. Someone at the top of the Papal Apartments kept on shouting “viva el Papa!”. Everybody shouted back in chorus.
We got a surprise during this audience. The Romanian Patriarch Teocist also joined in the party! I heard from the grapevine that his personal secretary used to study in Navarre and is very fond of the Work! Ecumenism has always been in the spirit of Opus Dei. St Josemaria joked to Pope John XIII that he did no learn ecumenism from Pope John. Opus Dei was the first organization in the Church to accept non-Catholic and even non Christian cooperators even before Vatican II. In fact, there are Russian Orthodox and even Lutherans from Scandinavia attending this ceremony.
The Pope and the Romanian Patriarch
After the ceremony I went Fr Luis’ reparto because we agreed to meet there. This time, it did not take us long to meet. We then proceeded to the restaurant where Vicky and I went to eat when we were at the Vatican. I remember that restaurant had cheap food. When we go there, the place was overflowing with people. Again, we went back to our hotel and had lunch at that area.
This afternoon, Padre and I went our separate ways. He went to San Eugenio then to celebrate mass. For my part I went on a sightseeing tour. Before I left, Padre reminded me not to forget the norms.
My first stop was to the Basilica of St Paul outside the walls. My mission was to buy an icon there. I took the metro. While at the metro, I met 2 guys from Valencia taking care of more than a dozen kids. I talked to these guys and they told me that they were heading for the Parish of St Josemaria at EUR. The kids were very restless!
I got off at San Paolo. It was good to be back at this beautiful church. I went to the back of the church and bought an icon of the Holy Family.
After a brief tour around San Paolo, I headed to the Lateran Area. I went to the Church of the Holy Cross. There I did my mental prayer in front of the relics of the Holy Cross of our Lord. I also met Silvan there and a couple of friends from the Philippines. The room of the relics was filled with people. So much different when Vicky and I went there when we were alone!
After my mental prayer, I headed back to the hotel then walked to Santa Maria Maggiore to do my rosary. The Church closed just as I arrived. I met Caloy there and he followed me to the hotel. Padre and I had dinner with Caloy this evening
San Paolo