Reflecting on our experience ...

This short video helps to show the amazing experience we have had over the past week. It is wonderful to now be back home in Australia and to be able to share the experience of faith that we have had on our journey to Rome. It is something none of us will ever forget and the memories of our experiences will be with us every day.

Thanks for following our blog ...

June Toni Grace and Isabel

Saint Paul's Outside the Walls ...

This is our last day on Rome. What a celebration we had on Monday! We went to mass at St Paul's outside the walls. The music was incredible ... the homily uplifting ... and the celebration together with thousands of other Australians on the other side of the world was just wonderful. And all for Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

St Paul's outside the walls

Magnificent fresco art work

Magnificent architecture

Two St Pat's girls in Rome. Grace met up with Hayley just before the mass. Hayley was in the group of Year 11 students who travelled to Rome from the Wollongong Diocese for the Canonisation.

And once again we saw Bishop Peter as he was a part of the procession into the celebratory mass.

Day 5 ... The Day of the Canonisation ceremony of Mary of the Cross MacKillop

This was the moment we had all be waiting and preparing for. What a spectacular celebration. To be a part of the congregation in St Peter's Square, to be at mass with the Pope (even though it was said in Latin), and to be among the many many Australians who had travelled so far to pay homage to a wonderful woman who faced adversity of life with tremendous courage and faith was something that we all couldn't believe. We had to keep asking ourselves "Am I really here?"


As the ceremony began we remembered our family and friends in prayer. Many of us had taken prayers with us to Rome for those at home.

An early morning arrival at St Peter's Square.

The excitement is building as we wait to enter the square.

A young Australian Catholic in Rome who will remember this experience for the rest of her life.

The crowd cheered as the Sister's of St Joseph made their way up the road to St Peter's Square! Now the excitement was building even more.

Our very own Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop adorned the facade of St Peter's in tapestry.

Australians in Rome. Great seats to be a part of the Canonisation - a great day in the history of our Church.

Cousins awaiting the Pope for the experience of their lives!

The sisters of St Joseph prepared the congregation:

Mary was responsive to the Will of God...

Mary lived in the Presence of God...

As well as her intense devotion to the Mass and the Blessed Sacrament Mary's spirituality was nurtured by other devotions of her time...

Mary's holiness found expression in Christian Virtues...

Australians in Rome

Cardinal Pell gave us a little wave as he processed in front of the Pope.

The pope came along right in front of us. We could almost touch him!

Pope Benedict seated and ready to give us our first Saint.

Preparing the altar for Communion.

There were hundreds of priests giving Communion. The umbrellas were so that the crowd knew where to go for Communion.

And there was a pretty big crowd there!

We met these Australian officials as we left the square. We had had a wonderful experience. 

Looking forward to getting home and sharing it with everyone.

Day 4 ...

This is the eve of the Canonisation. We went on tour this morning. First of all to a magnificent church which is the Cathedral of Rome. Within this Cathedral are the relics of St Peter and St Paul.

The Basilica of St John Lateran - one of Rome's four major basilicas.

Massive brass doors into the basilica

Mum, Isabel and in front of a statue of Constantine. One of the few pagan statues in a religious building. 

A fascinating baptismal door. These are only opened on Jubilee occasions. Behind this door is a solid cement wall (below) and every 25 years the door is opened and the cement wall is broken down. It is like a rebirth. Such incredible symbolism of faith.

The solid cement wall.

Next we headed off to the Holy Stairs. These were brought back to Rome from Jerusalem by St Helena in 326AD. You can't climb the stairs by foot but rather on your knees. You then continue on your knees to the prayer place at the top of the stairs. We took the stairs on either side where you can walk! I don't think Grandma's knees would have made the climb! Another example of such incredible faith in prayer.

The Holy Stairs

Grandma just before boarding the bus to the next stop ... the Catacombs!

If you say it with an accent you'd have to spell it like this!

The final destination of the morning was the ancient catacombs. We had a guided tour here that was just so interesting. The underground burial tunnels for the Christians and the Hebrews. There is certainly no OH&S issues here!

Our afternoon was free time so once again we went to the Trevi Fountain had a panini and another gelato! In the evening we joined all the other pilgrims for a special vigil presentation of Mary's Life. This was held at the Conciliazione Auditorium - just down the road from St Peter's Square. We had fantastic seats - second row from the stage and sat behind the Delezio family. Kevin Rudd spoke, Tim Fisher was in the audience the Sisters of St Joseph were there. The performance was put on by ACU. It was a great night that prepared our hearts for the celebration of the Canonisation.

There has been massive media attention over here. Mum and I just happened to run into Pete Stefanovic - European correspondent for Channel 9!

Grace and Isabel just before going into the celebration.

The leader of the Sisters of St Joseph - Sr Anne Derwin

Minister Kevin Rudd.

Back to the hotel by bus to sleep and prepare for the day we had come for.

Day Three ...

Today was our day of leisure. So we decided to head again to the Trevi Fountain, then off to the Pantheon and the Piazza Novana.

Of course we were able to do some shopping along the way!

Enjoying a gelato at the Trevi Fountain!

A beautiful little shop that is Geppetto's workshop. The beautiful depictions of Pinocchio bring back great memories of a lovely story.

In side the Pantheon.

The dome of the Pantheon.

Whilst at the Piazza the girls had their caricature done and we also ran into Cardinal Pell!

From here we went across the Tiber and off to St Peter's Square. We stopped for lunch and who should be at the table behind us but Mrs Gwen Cullinan - Isabel's Year 1 teacher! 

This is just my favourite sculpture of all.

Where St Peter lays at rest.

Look up ... and wow!

The Swiss Guard.

Tomb of John Paul II

And what a great way to finish a great day ... meeting up with a great Bishop!

Bishop Peter and I in front of St Peter's Square.

Rome - the meeting place for all!