Habemus Papam!!!!!!

We have a pope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was so exciting to be in St Peter's Square to welcome our new Holy Father, Pope Francis! We had just been to Mass at the Centro San Lorenzo, and quickly joined the thousands of people in the Square to wait for the smoke from the Sistine Chapel. I had really expected that it would be black again, as it was in the morning. So, I was so surprised to see that it was white. At first there was just a little puff, and then it came out thick and strong. The atmosphere was amazing...the noise gradually increased as people started to understand what it meant and the cheering got louder and louder and louder.

 Holy smoke!!!

We tried to call friends who live in Rome to make sure that they could come straight to St Peter's, if they weren't already there. But the network was down...obviously everyone was doing the same thing. Crowds came rushing from every direction.

It was so exciting. The crowd was waiting, cheering, praying and singing in anticipation, under the steady rainfall : click here for a video

We waited almost one hour before the announcement was made from the loggia (balcony thing above the main entrance of the Basilica). Thankfully, the rain stopped just before the cardinal appeared and announced that we have a new pope : click here for a video

Then we waited a short while longer before Pope Francis appeared! It was so incredible. Initially, he looked a bit scared, but he warmed up pretty quickly. He was so humble and prayerful and joyful. He asked us all to join him in praying for Pope Emeritus Benedict. Then he asked us to pray for him. There was complete silence as we all prayed together. Then he gave us his apostolic blessing.  Yay!!  Kev and I both felt that we have a new spiritual father. It doesn't hurt that he looks a bit like a teddy bear. (Can I say that?)
Click here for a video

Pope Francis (you may need a magnifying glass)

Afterwards we tackled the crowd to get back to the ESM for a late dinner. Then our chaplain offered a Mass of thanksgiving. It was good to hear prayers for our Pope and Bishop again in the Mass.

We had been waiting for a couple of weeks for this moment, but I never imagined how special it would be. It  was such a buzz. We are so grateful that God blessed us with such a wonderful experience.

Viva il Papa !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Conclave

It has been crazy in Rome for the past week, waiting for the beginning of the Conclave. There are cameras and journalists everywhere. But the poor things have had nothing to report, because apart from cardinals arriving and meeting together, nothing has been happening. So, they are looking for anything that could make a story. Our friend who is the chaplain of the Vatican's youth centre (Centro San Lorenzo) said that a news crew asked if they could interview him, and he agreed. In the middle of the interview, the ESM students walked past with the WYD Cross. The journalist said, "Oh, that's much more interesting!" and ran after the Cross, followed by the rest of the crew. Fr Fabian was left standing by himself. Poor dear!

Yesterday morning we went to Mass at St Peter's Basilica for the beginning of the Conclave. It was a beautiful Mass, but it was a bit of a circus too - reporters and cameras everywhere. There isn't this much frenzy when we actually have a Pope in our midst.

Mass at St Peter's Basilica

In the afternoon, we visited the Congregation for Divine Worship. This visit was scheduled months ago. It was really interesting. We met with Archbishop Roche who spoke to the group and then answered questions. Afterwards, he said he wanted to show us a great view. We walked through lots of offices and came out on this balcony. On the big screens, you can see the cardinals processing into the Sistine Chapel.

Beginning of the Conclave

After our visit, we headed home. On the way, I walked through St Peter's Square again. It was really funny to see so many people standing in the rain, looking at a screen which showed the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. I wondered if they would all watch it for the next two hours, until the smoke came out.

Waiting for the smoke

This morning we were in St Peter's Square again, and this time I saw the smoke come out of the chimney. Obviously it was black smoke which signifies that no pope was selected. In the crowd, we saw an Australian flag. We went over to find that it was a group of people we know. I was really happy to see my dear friend Jacinta's sister, Mary Clare. We chatted for a while, but then had to get back to school.

Hele, Mary Claire and four of her kids

As our friend took this photo, a stranger came up and took a photo of us as well. We also were asked to pose for a photo for a Slovakian newspaper. I tell you, the media are going mad!!!!

So, we still wait to see who our new pope will be......

Paray le Monial - possibly for the last time

We took the ESM to Paray for a retreat with the other Schools, and for the Winter Forum. We left on Tuesday and flew into Lyon. Then we took a coach to Ars for a stop at the Basilica. I think it is appropriate at this point to refer back to our blog post from last year. My brother Paul,  upon seeing that we had been to Ars, suggested that we open a bread shop and call it, "Pain in the Ars". My response was that it should be next to the shrine, so that after the Pain in the Ars, you could get the "Cure of Ars".

After some time of prayer, we went to Paray. As always, it is great to see the students from each of the Schools connecting straight away. For the first few days, they had a retreat together. Meanwhile, Kev and I tried to get as much work done as we could.

There was snow on the ground when we arrived. It melted after a few days, but it was absolutely freeeeeeeeeeezing.

Then about a thousand Frenchies showed up for a Winter Forum. We were pleased to see lots of our former students. It seems that where ever I turned, I could hear excited shouts of, "Mum!!!".

Lucy, Caroline, Hele, Kev, Lisa, Ziggy, Anna, Matthew.

On Saturday night we took Louisa out for her birthday. It was nice to get away for a bit and just chill out. Also, we had to have snails and red wine...it's tradition during the Winter Forum. Although, this is our routine with our buddy Msgr Sarno, he couldn't make it this year. Kindly, I sent him photos to show him what he was missing. I am such a good friend.

Escargots ...red wine

Simon, Lou, Hel, Kev

The Forum finished after Mass on Sunday morning. We had to say goodbye to lots of lovely people... as always, twas very sad.

 Matthieu (ESM 2010-1011), Hel, Kev

 Kev, Jeanne (ESM 2011-2012), Hel

 Kev, Hele, Baptiste (ESM 2011-2012)

 Kev, Lynx, Hele

After all the goodbyes, we headed back to the ESM Paray for lunch....but not before saying goodbye to the Basilica of Paray-le-Monial!!

Anna and Anne (current ESM students)

After lunch, the students continued to have fun - Kev and I just crashed......getting old I spose. We leave for Rome tomorrow at 7am. We are looking forward to being warm again.

Pope Benedict XVI - last public Angelus....and hanging around Rome

On Sunday we went to St Peter's Square for Pope Benedict's last Angelus. There were more than 200 000 people there - the crowds spilled out into the surrounding streets.

He gave the people some words of thanks, before leading us in prayer. He then addressed us in various languages with words of encouragement from the Gospel reading of the Transfiguration.

The crowd cheered in support when he said these words, "I hear this Word of God addressed to me in a special way at this moment in my life. The Lord has called me to 'scale the mountain', to dedicate myself still more to prayer and mediation. But this does not mean abandoning the Church. If God asks me this it is precisely so that I might continue to serve her with the same dedication and the same love with which I have tried to give up to now, but in a way more suitable to my age and strength. Let us call upon the intercession of the Virgin Mary: May she help all of us to always follow the Lord Jesus, in prayer and in works of Charity." (Vatican News Service)

During the whole time that the Pope was at his window, I tried not to take my eyes off him knowing that this would be the last time that I would ever see him. It was quite sad.

 Pope Benedict XVI

After the Angelus we decided to see a bit of Rome. I think our experience of last night's outing prompted us to get out more. First we wandered down to the Trevi Fountain (accidentally). I still get so lost in Rome, which is great because then I stumble across wonderful places.

 Kev at the Trevi Fountain

 Hele at the Trevi Fountain

Then we went to a delightful restaurant for lunch. It was nice to be inside because it was really really really cold outside. Which is why I had to buy myself a charming pink hat, which could conveniently double as a tea cosy.

 Hele at the Colosseum

This was Kev's first visit to the Colosseum. It only took three years to get there. We had a lot of fun.

 Kev and Hele at the Colosseum

 Kev - thumbs up...thumbs down

Hel

Then we walked around for a while, popping in to a few churches. Then we went to pray for a bit before Mass at the Church where the Emmanuel Community celebrates the Mass. We were both so tired, so had a good sleep. 

After Mass, we went to Campo dei Fiori for dinner with more friends!!!! 

Mercedes, Kev, Kathleen, Maurizio, Joan, Fr Alexander, Lou, Hel, Jill Ann

By this stage we were exhausted, so went home to sleep. So, we had a jam-packed weekend, and as you can see, we are quite popular!

Friends in Rome

On Saturday night we went out for dinner with some friends. Luckily the restaurant was just around the corner from our house (because we chose it). It seems that where ever we go, we make friends with nutty people - I don't know why...perhaps they are attracted to our sanity.

Here are some photos to prove that we are not complete losers, and do in fact have some friends. And not all of them are priests!

Carly, Fr Emmanuel, Marta, Anne, Simon, Kev

Jill Ann

Fr Luke, Fr Charlie

Joan, Fr Anthony, Louisa

Jill Ann, Fr Rafael, Hele

Marc, Carly 

After dinner Carly came over to watch a couple of episodes of  "Flight of the Conchords" (thanks to Bernard's DVD which we never returned). My, did we laugh!!!!!

Pope Benedict XVI - last public Mass

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday - the first day of Lent. Our chaplain is overseas at the moment, so it has been hard to find a replacement priest to celebrate Mass for us. Our plan for Ash Wednesday was to have Mass at School at 6:30am - it was our only option. Then on Tuesday, it was announced that the Holy Father would celebrate Mass at St Peter's on Wednesday afternoon. So, we cancelled class....and also got to sleep in.

We went down to St Peter's Square a couple of hours before Mass started. The line was huuuuuuuuuuuge. Luckily the Basilica is massive, so we managed to get in. Actually, we would have been able to find seats half way up, but decided to take our favourite seats - right at the back where the entrance procession begins.

The priests, bishops and cardinals entered first, followed by the Holy Father. There was complete silence.

 Pope Benedict XVI walked into St Peter's Basilica for his last public Mass

After the blessing of the ashes at the back of the Basilica, the Holy Father got on his wheely-thing and whizzed up the aisle.

 Pope Benedict XVI

The Mass was beautiful. In his homily, the Holy Father asked for our prayers. "For me it is a good opportunity to thank everyone, especially the faithful of the Diocese of Rome, as I prepare to conclude my Petrine ministry, and ask for a special remembrance in prayer". (Full text of homily)

Before the end of Mass, the Pope's Secretary of State addressed the Holy Father with words of thanks. (Farewell Address). The congregation responded with applause. The atmosphere was incredible. It was more moving than any World Youth Day or any other papal event. There was no cheering or hype, it was just steady clapping that went on for some minutes. It was a genuine expression of thanks and support for the Holy Father for his faithful service. It was sad in some ways, but very beautiful. 

After the final blessing, the Holy Father followed at the end of the procession of priests and bishops, and whizzed back down the aisle. This time it was much slower. Now, the congregation were clapping loudly and cheering. He was smiling and blessing the people as he went past. We were right at the back so we could see that his priests and bishops were waiting for him behind the partition, smiling and clapping for him. 

We were so happy to have been at the Mass. Usually, no one knows when they are attending a Pope's final Mass, because it is usually the last one before he dies. This was very special!

Orvieto

Kev and I went to Orvieto for a night. There was a Eucharistic Miracle there yonks ago, and it is the place where the Feast of the Corpus Christi kicked off. I also wanted to go there to see a famous painting in the Cathedral.

We went by train on Saturday morning. It was such a lovely train ride. Kev was busy reading his boring book, so I talked to myself most of the way. "Oh, wow!!! A horthey!!!" (horse). I kept myself amused.

We had beautiful weather, although it was so dang cold. We stayed at a lovely B&B just near the Cathedral. As soon as we got there, we went out for lunch. It was absolutely delicious. We were a bit annoyed though, when we got the bill and found that they had charged us for the bread that they brought to our table. When Kev noticed it on the bill, I picked up the last piece that was in the basket. I was going to eat it (because we paid for it) but I wasn't hungry. So I broke it up. I felt much better.

After lunch we went for a walk around the town. It was ace!

Cathedral 

The Cathedral is amazing. I recommend that you check it out on the internet. The painting by Luca Signorelli is so well done. It was worth the whole trip.

 Quaint houses and streets

 Ripper view

 Kev wondered how the car got in and out of the driveway

Town Square (behind me...ha)

For dinner we went to a cozy little bar and had yummy tapas and wine. It was so cold outside, so we went back to our warm and cozy B&B and watched classy Italian tv.

The next day we went to Mass at the Cathedral. Then we had lunch...

 Snazzy little restaurant

Another lookout 

After lunch we went back to the station

Then we went back to Rome. This time, Kev spoke with me. His conversation was almost as interesting as mine.