Rome Priest for Life, Footprints of God Pilgrimage Day 4

by Steve Ray on June 14, 2013




Another banner day! Travestere is a unique and ancient quarter of Rome across the Tiber River. It is where the Jews lived prior to the time of Christ. The first converts in Rome were Judeo-Christians and it was to them that Peter and Paul first visited. 

We had Mass at Santa Maria in Trastevere which is arguably the world’s first church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. We had Mass with Cardinal Paglia who is President of the Pontifical Council on the Family. He was delightful and charismatic and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the Mass in his ancient basilica and his talk afterwards.

Fr. Pavone’s homilies are carefully prepared to be site-specific meaning that he carefully weaves the history and meaning of the current church into his homily which each explores the meaning, defense and importance of human life and dignity. Listen to the homily at Santa Maria in Trastevere here Pavone 6-14.

Then we had two hours to roam the streets of quaint Trastevere to eat lunch and shop before heading to the North American College which is the United States seminary here in Rome.

We had a great time with the seminarians, heard several vocation stories and took a tour of the seminary. For many of the pilgrims it was a highlight of the pilgrimage. We took up a free will offering at the end and collected $900 for the five who spent time with us.

Then we had Dr. Liz Lev come to the hotel and for one hour gave the most incredible introduction to the Sistine Chapel using color slides and her amazing whit, artistic knowledge and orthodox Catholic theology. Everyone was in awe.

Then we had attorney Alan Sears present our group with a talk on the dangers in America and how we are losing our freedons, especially religious. The bishop in charge of the Council for Life also addressed our group while we ate a good Friday fish dinner.



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