Early Morning Masses

 

Dear Friends and Family,

Above you see the main altar of Santissima Trinita dei Pelligrini parish in the heart of Rome. Each morning I leave the parish where I am staying and walk 10 minutes to Santissima Trinita to offer the Holy Mass. It is a nice walk to begin the day and especially it is worth it because the side altars and the way the sacristy is done make it a very prayerful place to offer daily Mass. Though you cannot see it in the photos, there are 8 side altars, almost all of which are full each morning for the Holy Mass. There is something beautiful about arriving there are 6:30 AM, quietly vesting along with other priests, and then processing out and celebrating quiet Masses simultaneously on the side altars, each of us trying to adore the Lord well and offering the Holy Sacrifice on behalf of all those souls in need. Then, we return to the sacristy (at slightly different times of course), unvest and then take time to pray in thanksgiving. For my part, I like to return to the side altar where I celebrated Mass and make my thanksgiving there.

I then begin the walk back to my room to begin the day's studies, along streets such as this:

Though first, I stop for a cappuccino and a "brioche simple"--which is a sort of breakfast roll. It's a wonderful way to begin the day!

In this month of the Holy Rosary, please be assured of my continued prayers for each one of your families.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,

Fr. Pillari

First Weeks of Classes

 

Dear Friends and Family,

Classes have begun! This should be--God willing--my last semester of coursework for the doctorates here in Rome. Then it will be just a matter of writing the dissertations. 

Last week, on Oct. 7th--Feast of the Holy Rosary and the 450th anniversary of Lepanto--there was a beautiful evening concert to commemorate Our Lady's interecession in that historical battle. It was held in the church of St. Ignatius here in Rome, pictured above, and the Vatican Philharmonic Choir sang beautiful pieces of sacred music, interspersed with the prayer of the joyful mysteries of the rosary.

The previous weekend I was able to spend three days at the monastery of the Monks of Norica, which overlooks the valley here:

It was a particularly blessed three days for both prayer and study.

May God grant each of your families abundant graces in this month of Our Lady of the Rosary!

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,

Fr. Pillari