Dear Sisters -
An amazing day discovering St. Peter's in the fog, from inside, from the dome, from the crypt  - and ending with a magnificent Vigil liturgy with all the religious. I will try to capture highlights in photos.

Srs BT, Mary Clare, Angel and I set out in a cab for St. Peter's where we planned to meet Fr. Daniel Chowning.
Our first view was in the fog. No site of the dome at all.
We couldn't believe we were actually here after having seen this so many, many times on TV! Really a thrill!

The crib was still up in the center square. 

After passing through security, we entered St. Peter's. I 

remembered each of our communities in my intentions as I passed through the Holy Doors. It is very symbolic - this opening to something new 50 years after the council. 

It was stunning to immediately see the Pieta to our right.

We paused there to pray. 

Lo and behold, St. Teresa was the next one to welcome us!

Here we met Fr. Daniel Chowning and from there he took us around St. Peter's. 

I'm amazed looking at these photos now. You'd think we were the only ones in the Basilica. But it was teaming with throngs of pilgrims. How I ever got a clear shot I'll never know! The Holy Spirit must have photo-shopped this for me! 

Believe it or not - here is the same shot from way above. We took an elevator half way and walked all the way up to the dome...over 300 steps Mary Clare tells us! Needless to say - we took breaks along our ascending camino. 

Proof! we made it! The fog was lifting and the view breath-taking.

The Vatican gardens shadowed by St. Peter's.

Crypt - St. Peter's.

I should add that the in-corrupt body of John XXIII is in the main body of St. Peter's. It is very moving to see. But somehow, I was not inclined to take a photo of him. But it is remarkable to be there on the 50th anniversary of the occasion of Vat II, which we owe to him. The 50th anniversary of the council is also one of the main reasons this week of consecrated life is being celebrated in Rome. 

A lovely lunch of pizza with several sisters and Fr. Daniel, a trip back to the Salesium (it takes about 25 mins) and then...

'The nuns on the bus' (actually TWO bus-loads) left for St. Peter's for the Vigil to begin our official week of planned celebrations. 

The Carmelites were seated in this section. The

Vigil was 2-hours long and included readings in several languages, lovely music in between, a homily by Msgr. Carballo (I didn't receive the English translation and confess I fell asleep!), Benediction and a final sung Magnificat. 

Look at all these religious!

And 104 (approx) hungry Carmelite nuns headed home for dinner at 8:45pm (!) after taking in the lovely night scene at St. Peter's. 

Please keep all of us in our prayers as we will you! 

Tomorrow begins...the TALKS! (15, I have been told!)

Love!