Vicariato di Roma

 

Dear Friends and Family,

It has been a very blessed first full week in Rome. Thank you very much for your prayers! Much of the week was spent sorting out logistics and learning a bit of how Rome works. Among other things the week involved a trip to IKEA to begin sorting out necessary furniture so that my room can work well as an office for study and also as a good living space, and a trip to the Lateran Palazzo, where the chancery of the Diocese of Rome is located. 

The photo above gives you a glimpse of the incredible artwork that adorns the ceiling everywhere (at least everywhere I went) in the Lateran Palazzo. Here is a photo of a stairwell:

While quite beautiful, I much prefer the churches that are often so conducive to prayer. For example, here is a photo of the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, who are our "next-door neighbours" here along the Roman Forum. I made a mini Holy Hour there yesterday morning, and took this photo.

The structure was originally a pagan temple, with a large library attached (the photo above is showing part of what seems to have been the library), that was transformed in the 500's into a church. It was quite, recollected place for prayer that I will likely visit again soon.

In just a moment I will be heading out the door to pray in a church or two and then make my way to Santissima Trinita dei Pelligrini, which is familiar to a number of you. It's the parish church of the FSSP in the heart of Rome. I was invited to be in choir for the High Mass (N.B. "assisting in choir"--for a priest, doesn't mean I sing, but means I am near the altar and praying while the priest celebrates the Mass), and then to join the priests for lunch afterwards. Looking forward to getting to know them. Then I plan to visit the Musei dei Fori Imperiali, which is supposed to have very good models and explanations of the heart of ancient Rome.

I prayed for you this morning in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, as I do every day. I will be praying for you especially this Friday, as on every first Friday I offer the Mass for all my benefactors--and all of you are certainly that, whether by helping bring me into this world--thank you Mom and Dad!, or by your prayers or in other ways.

And to show you that I'm officially here:

May God grant you a blessed and joyful Sunday.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,

Fr. Pillari

In the Heart of Rome

 

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings from Rome! It has been a whirlwind week getting settled in here but it is really exciting to be in the heart of Rome, where so many martyrs and saints lived and died. I am living in a really beautiful location, in the heart of ancient Rome, right in between the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

For this first post, I mainly wanted to give you a glimpse of what surrounds me. The above photo is taken from the bell tower of the monastery I just moved into. I climbed up the stairs the other day and Don Elvir, a fellow student, kindly took that and the photos below.

It is truly an amazing place to be in! And the monks have been most fraternal--it should be a very good place for prayer and study. This morning I was able to celebrate Mass in the crypt, where there is the tomb of San Francesca Romana, co-patron of Rome. If you'd like to take a glance at the Basilica to which the monastery is attached see here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Francesca_Romana,_Rome

Next Sunday, I will write more about life here. In the meantime, praying for you all here in Rome!

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,

Fr. Pillari

Two Special Graces and a Train to catch tomorrow

 

Photo of the three children I helped prepare for Confirmation, just after they were confirmed by Bishop Athanasius Schneider.

The "head bands" are a family tradition to cover the part of the forehead anointed with sacred chrism, as a sign of the holiness of the oil and of the Sacrament received.

With their sponsors.

Dear Friends and Family,

Though it is now midnight on Sunday, I wanted to show you these few pictures and write a few words about this blessed Sunday. I will try to continue with at least a few blog posts once I arrive in Rome.

Last Sunday Bishop Athanasius Schneider confirmed three children I helped prepare for the Sacrament. It was a real joy to see them receive the fullness of the Holy Ghost and His gifts. It was also a joy to assist at Bishop Schneider's Mass, and to see his prayerful, fatherly attention to the children and to others in the celebration that followed. In fact, the schedule worked out such that he had a good 20 minutes to interview the children before the ceremony began. It brought a real smile to my face to see them answering the good Bishop's questions and interacting with him.

Then today, I had the joy of a skype call with a former parishioner from Plymouth who became a postulant 6 months ago and today was invested in the full religious habit. She seemed very happy and it was a joy to speak to her about prayer, about religious life, and to hear about her experiences so far.

Tomorrow, I will take the train to Rome and begin my time of studies there. God-willing I will have some photos to share with you next Sunday. At the moment, I'm sitting in the middle of boxes of books and preparing to finish one last task, which I should do now...

Will pray for all of you at the tombs of the saints and martyrs in Rome!

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,

Fr. Pillari