| Pilgrim Memories |
| Written by Patrick Bolger | |||
| Sunday, 14 November 2010 12:00 | |||
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A gallery of photos from the trip are now online. See here. Our Lady of Lourdes RC Parish Pilgrimage to Rome & Assisi 16th-21st October 2010 Thirty three pilgrims gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes church car park early on Saturday morning to board the coach to Stansted airport for our flight to Rome. The pilgrimage started the moment the coach doors closed with a pilgrimage prayer prepared by our Spiritual Director Fr Kevin Moule and thus fortified by the Holy Spirit our pilgrimage began. The flight was uneventful and we arrived on time at Ciampino Airport, Rome. We were met by the Pax Travel pilgrimage representative Misia Boccia who was to prove to be both knowledgeable and entertaining during our stay in Rome. Whilst in Rome we visited the Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls and the Cathedral of Rome, St John Lateran. We were very fortunate to be in Rome during the Canonisation of six holy men and women which included a nun from Australia. There were many Australians in Rome enjoying the celebrations!We visited St Peter’s, the Vatican Museum and the very interesting church of San Clemente with its many floors underneath the church showing the history of the site over many centuries. Mass was celebrated each day. On day four we travelled to Assisi. For many of us it was our first visit and what an impression it made. Helped by breathtaking scenery and good weather the medieval town was shown at its best. We visited the Basilica of St Chiara, originally a Roman temple and the Basilica of St Francis with its very strong connection to St. Francis and St Clare, the founder of the Poor Clare’s. This church was unusual for having the chapel dedicated to St Francis with the Basilica built over it. It was a very moving sight. We visited other holy places associated with both saints. Lack of space prevents me from more comment suffice to say it was a memorable pilgrimage which everyone enjoyed. Patrick Bolger Pilgrimage Organiser
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| Last Updated on Sunday, 06 March 2011 19:03 |