Sunday, January 27, 2013

Orange trees at the Villa.

I have arrived!  I left Milwaukee on Friday morning at 11:59am, after a difficult goodbye with my family - I'm really going to miss them.  Then I flew to Philadelphia, and from there to Rome.  I arrived here yesterday at around 9am (2am back home), so less than 24 hours.  But the fastest part of the whole trip was getting through customs, which only took about 15 seconds.  When I met up with the other students and the program director she apologized to us that it is so chilly here - it sure is, in fact, it's a frigid 60 degrees here ☺.  The grounds of the Villa Serenella where we are staying are beautiful and surprisingly quiet.  There are a group of Maronite monks who live here too, and they maintain beautiful gardens complete with fountains, palm trees, ripe orange trees, lemon trees, and olive groves.  We even get to eat the oranges at meals, and the olive oil is made from their olives!  

 

Pope addressing English speakers at Sunday Angelus.

Vatican Nativity Scene

We've only been exploring in the city a few times so far.  Last night we visited Chiesa del Gesù, and saw the nightly unveiling of the statue of St. Ignatius, which was cool.  But this morning was even better.  We went to Mass at Chiesa Nuova (the church of St. Philip Neri), and then went to the Sunday Angelus with the pope!  There were lots of people in St. Peter's square, and it was just a very vibrant environment.  Plus, the Nativity scene and Christmas tree were still up, so it was neat to see those.  Then tomorrow we all get to go back to St. Peter's for a private Mass in the crypt!  I'm hoping that things just keep getting better!