Good Evening, Sisters,

Vatican Gardens

This morning Srs Mary Clare, Angel, Bernadette Therese and I set out for the Vatican Museum...bundled up and ready for the day!




The entrance hallway of the Vatican Museum looks across at the dome of St. Peter's. It is a most-amazing place! We spent about 3 hours here walking, listening to the recorded explanations in awe and wonder to simply BE here!

I was particularly touched by this sculpture in the museum of modern art.

We spent the most time in the Sistine Chapel, which was not too crowded (I can't imagine what it's like in the busy season!). Photos were forbidden and from time to time the guards would ask the people to keep silence as it is a holy place. 

I couldn't get over how small the Sistine Chapel actually is! I couldn't imagine fitting all those cardinals in there for a papal election.  On the TV it looks 5 times as long and 3 times as wide as it actually is!

 The display of frescoes, sculptures and artifacts is literally dizzying...a veritable walk through history. We would have loved to go into the Vatican Libraries (below) but it was not allowed.

The exit staircase from the museum...

We walked over to St. Peter's in the afternoon in plenty of time to get through security for the Papal closing Mass of the year of consecrated life/Feast of the Presentation beginning at 5:30pm. Only those with tickets were allowed in.  Even so, there was a veritable crush of people lined up for blocks. It took us over an hour to get into the Basilica. Again, I felt for the people with canes and walkers struggling on the cobblestones. I was very sorry to learn later that many people had to sit outdoors because St. Peter's was full. This included many of our Carmelite sisters.

 One last opportunity to see the beautiful Holy Doors.

BT and I were seated just across from the Blessed Sacrament Chapel

I shot this from our place.

Right: the crowd of people seated behind us.

And our view of the altar

 We were all given lovely programs and votive candles as we entered the Basilica. Just before Mass started the person at the end of the aisle had their candle lit and passed it down the rows. Lights were low. It was beautiful - as was the music! Hundreds of priests - and finally Pope Francis - processed in with candles lit. 
 

Our view of Pope Francis!
We don't know what the homily was about as it was in Italian but I'm sure it can be found on the Vatican website.

After Mass Pope Francis went out to the front of the Basilica to address those who were seated outside. This was very gracious of him and served as a real consolation to our sisters who were there.







The final view of St. Peter's for the evening...

Thanks be to God for this year of consecrated life and for the invitation extended to all of us to be there to close the year. It has been a great gift! 

Tomorrow all the Carmelite nuns will meet here for the day with Fr. General and the Definitors. It will be a full day - with the focus on formation. Keep us in your good prayers! 

Each of you are held in love!

Happy Feastday!