Trip to St. Peter's

The group left at 8:15 this morning for the Vatican Museums.  So I have some time to write to you.

The 130 pilgrims are all enthusiastic and are real troopers.  We have had great weather but today it is raining.

What was most unusual was that the Holy Father mentioned us in his remarks in English singling us out as a group of pilgrims from the Diocese of Rockville Centre celebrating its fiftieth anniversary.

On Wednesday we had Mass at the 7:15 am at the altar of the chair in St. Peter's.  This is very unusual on a day when there is an audience with the Holy Father but they made an exception for Bishop Murphy.  Bishop Dunne gave a beautiful talk on the Church as one.  He spoke about the primacy of charity.  He was honest about the human failures of her Church and yet the importance of recognizing the unity of the Church based in the unity of the Trinity.

After the Mass we went into the Square for the audience.  It was only 8:15 am (the audience begins at 10:30) but there were already many people there.  We entered through the front of the square.  Our tickets were red and said "Reparto Speciale", which means special section, but the people did not know what this meant.  As we crossed over the front of the square to the other side our guide turned right to go to the section on the top where the Pope's chair is.  I could hear the mumble and amazement in our pilgrims who couldn't believe they were going up there.  They were simply thrilled.  We were about 100 feet from the Holy Father.

The time passed quickly and the anticipation grew as 10:30 arrived.  Cheers from the crowd below indicated that the Holy Father had entered the square.  The large number of pilgrims (over twenty thousand forced them to move the audience from the audience hall where it is usually held at this time of the year back into the square.  The crowd was enthusiastic.  When our group was introduced our pilgrims gave a loud cheer.  Pope Benedict turned and waved to us.  I am sure Bishop Murphy was very pleased.

What was most unusual was that the Holy Father mentioned us in his remarks in English singling us out as a group of pilgrims from the Diocese of Rockville Centre celebrating its fiftieth anniversary.

Our people were on a high for the rest of the day.  We are so large a group that we use every chair in the restaurants.  While we are crowded in no one complains but ythey are happy to be together.  Bishop Murphy is very present to the group and there is a spirited relationship between him and them.  It is beautiful to see him move amongst them and relate to them so easily and pastorally.