Firstly we had a 'thank you' dinner for our teachers. This has become an annual event where we have a special meal together, followed by some entertainment by the students. It usually takes the form of mocking our teachers (in a very respectful manner, of course). It was absolutely hilarious.
Fr Kimes, students, Msgr Sarno
Another night, Cardinal Rylko came for dinner. He is in charge of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, which is responsible for the ESM being in Rome. So, each year he likes to meet the students and to hear about what they have experienced during the year.
Cardinal Rylko with the ESM
The following night Cardinal Pell came for dinner with the business manager for the Archdiocese of Sydney, Danny Casey. It was a lively dinner, followed by the traditional Q&A with the Cardinal. He was in fine form, as were the students. So it was a great night - lots of laughs!!!
Cardinal Pell with the ESM
Q&A with Cardinal Pell
Louisa, Fr Charlie, Cardinal Pell
Our good friend Slaven was in Rome for a quick visit. We met up with him at the pub to watch a game of rugby. I think it was rugby. There was a ball and a field and people running and bashing into each other. We also got to spend some time with one of our students from last year, Benedicte.
Hele, Slaven, Louisa, Benedicte, Kev
Kev and I went to a concert at the Vatican. We got tickets from our friend Msgr Sarno - he takes good care of us. The concert was in the Paul VI Auditorium. The Pope was expected to attend, but he didn't show up. It was a beaut concert.
Beethoven Symphony 9
We had our last household (weekly prayer group) on Tuesday. Instead of the usual format, we had a nice dinner together. We always meet at Ivana and Mauro's house because they have two kids. Ivana cooked Thai food which was fantastic. One of the things that I miss most about Australia is the Thai food! We had a ripper time together. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone though.
Grazia, Iganizio, Ivana, Mauro, Fr Eric, Gisele, Antonella, Hele, Kev
On Wednesday we went to the Papal Audience. We had hoped to get special tickets but we lucked out. Most of the seats were taken so we decided that, rather than spreading out we would go out into the open area...as long as we were all together...awwww. It was obvious that we were not tourists as we were not as keen as everyone to get a place near the barrier.
Waiting for the Pope
When the Pope arrived, we were just as excited as everyone. Pope Francis darted around the Square in his Popemobile for about half and hour. He stopped many times to greet people. He is such a jolly fellow.
Pope Francis in front of St Peters
Pope Francis
On Thursday night we went to Mass at the Centro San Lorenzo to farewell Fr Eric. He is finishing his job as 'the responsible' for the Youth Section of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. After Mass there was a nice dinner in the courtyard. It was a good opportunity to catch up with lots of people who we know, and to say goodbye to them as we will be leaving in two months. I was so happy to see Wanda Gawronksa. She is the niece of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. I met her when I was in Rome ten years ago. We have kept in touch with email and phone all this time, but never managed to meet face-to-face again. She is such a great lady!! She promised to ask her uncle to pray for us. She said that she won't ask him, she will tell him!
Kev, Wanda (Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati's niece), Hele
Yesterday we went to Mass with the Pope for the Feast of Sts Peter and Paul. Although we had tickets, there were so many people that we had to stand up the whole time. It was still nice though.
In the afternoon we did the traditional visit to Tre Fontane, which is the place where St Paul was martyred. I really love it there. I was sad though because it is the last time that I will be there on this particular feast day. But life goes on, ey...?!
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