PILGRIMAGE ITINERARY
Parish Concert / Prayer Cards |
Parish Concert / Prayer CardsNovember 7
The parish/pilgrimage choir presented a very fine concert in the evening.
It was well attended and a CD recording was made. That CD will be
supplemented by some selections recorded while on pilgrimage and then duplicated
for purchase. Intention prayer cards were presented to the audience to fill out. These completed cards were later carried on pilgrimage with the intentions kept as a focal point of our prayer. |
DepartureNovember 15The pilgrims boarded a bus at 4:00PM bound for Newark airport. We later departed on a London bound flight on British Air. Some pilgrims had arranged pre-pilgrimage tours and were to meet us in Rome. |
London Airport/ArrivalNovember 16
Our flight took us through the night. Arriving in London, we enjoyed window
shopping at the airport mall. Later we flew over the Alps on our London - Rome flight. In Rome prior to our arrival, it had been raining hard, but the sun greeted us and we enjoyed an introductory bus tour before arriving at the Hotel Regent. |
Papal Audience / Tour of Christian RomeNovember 17
In the morning, we attended the papal mass in St. Peter's Square. The square
was full and pilgrims from around the world were present. There was much
excitement as Pope John Paul II arrived in the 'pope mobile' riding around
the wide aisles. We had great seats along the front center aisle and were
very close to the pope on his approach to the front stairs of the Basilica.
Pope Mobile Names of groups of pilgrims were to be called and we were to sing a short piece at that time. Unfortunately no choirs were called before us, the names were read very quickly, and it seemed inappropriate to sing. Though we did not sing as our church name was called, we later sang a few songs in the square. Later that day, we went on a tour of Christian Rome, visiting the Basilica of St. Paul, the Cathedral of St. John Lateran and the Basilica of St. Mary Major. At St. Paul's, we sang one of our anthems and were filmed by Catholic television from Mexico, and told the piece would be aired throughout that country. Santa Maria Maggiore |
Vatican Museums / Mass at St. Peter'sNovember 18
The pilgrims visited the Vatican Museums today. This tour concludes inside
the Sistine Chapel.  The choir returned to the hotel to change and rehearse prior to mass at St. Peter's Basilica. The feast being celebrated today was 'Dedication of St. Peter's Basilica' and it was an honor to sing on that day in that place. This mass was celebrated at the altar at the chair of St. Peter. Just prior to mass, the Vatican musicians entered to review the music with us. As Thom conferred with them via interpreters Rob Nonni and tour guide Elizabeth, the choir watched for any curious expressions! After a brief scare in which it was suggested that the chants to be used would not be 'Missa de Angelis' as prepared, this was resolved. However, the choir had to make substantial adaptation to what had been prepared. The choir had a wonderful opportunity to sing 'Exsultate Justi' by Lodovico Viadana with organ interludes by the Vatican organist. Charles Jones accompanied the choir on its other anthems. Fr. John Fell, former parish associate pastor, greeted us following mass. |
Free Time / Rehearsal / Concert at St. IgnatiusNovember 19'Free time' had been scheduled today for shopping, climbing the stairs
up the Dome of St. Peter's, etc. The choir soloists rehearsed in the afternoon at St. Ignatius church for the evening concert. Charles Jones at the Organ-1 Charles Jones at the Organ-2 |
AssisiNovember 20This day was a full day excursion to Assisi, which is 2 1/2 hours away
from Rome. At breakfast before leaving, Sr. Pat presented to Thom two
pumpkin pies on his birthday. She had smuggled pumpkin pie mix, sugar and pie
tins in to Rome and spent Friday baking. There had been a brief scare when
Sr. Pat's luggage had been originally misplaced on the flight to Rome.
Pumpkin is known to be Thom's favorite flavor and the gesture is much
appreciated. St. Francis Basilica Mass was celebrated in the Basilica of St. Francis with Fr. Gall presiding and Fr. Bill Mickiewicz, pastor of St. John Neumann Parish in Califon, assisiting. Ed Jankiewicz (guitar) and Corey Gutowski (oboe) provided all the instrumental accompaniments for the mass. There was no organ available. Those gathered were amazed by the sound resonating everywhere. A highlight was the choir's singing of 'Prayer of St. Francis' by Allen Pote. Rob, Thom and Corey |
Canonization Mass / Papal BlessingNovember 21This day was very special indeed. It had been decided just a few weeks
prior to the pilgrimage that the pope would offer mass this morning and
canonize new saints. The choir was to sing a prelude piece following
prelude by another American choir. The Vatican choir would supply all of the
choral chants. The choir again performed beautifully and was then invited
to sing a second piece. 25,000 people filled the basilica. Following mass was another unique experience. All those gathered rushed outside into the Square while those outside who had not been able to be inside for mass attempted to enter the church. The crowd was vast. The pope then offered his blessing to those in the Square. Ancient Rome / Farewell DinnerForum Moses We concluded the day with a festive farewell dinner at a fine restaurant in Rome.  The Bishop Family |
Going HomeNovember 22Early in the morning, the pilgrims boarded a bus bound for Rome airport. We later departed on a London bound flight. After making purchases this time in the London airport, a final flight to Newark was taken. The pilgrims were back in Whitehouse Station by early evening. |
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