A Sage idea: See Rome

I brought the request of a few to college personnel, and Russell Sage College decided to offer this opportunity as a Second-Semester Course offering. Students could register to take either the Italy: Spirituality and Christian Belief Course with me, the Global Business Course with Prof. Brownell, an independent study course with another professor at the college -- or simply go on the trip.

We arrived in Rome early the morning of Jan. 4 and were quickly whisked to Delle Torre Argentina Hotel in the heart of Rome near Largo Argentina, which would be our "home" for the next week.

After a brief rest period, we were off to tour ancient Rome, walking a short distance first to the Victor Emmanuel Monument as we headed to the Roman Forum and other well-known sites: the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the House of the Vestal Virgins, the Arch of Septimus Severus and the Arch of Titus.

We visited the Mamertine Prison, where it is believed Peter and Paul as well as other martyrs were once imprisoned. The Basilica of Cosmas and Damien, and the Colosseum were next on the walking tour. Here, too, we saw the Arch of Constantine.

On Jan. 5, we met our guide, Alexis, for a morning tour of the Vatican museums. After a lunch stop near the Vatican, we walked to Piazza Navona where a beautiful festival was taking place. A carousel, vendors galore and crowds of people made this beautiful Roman spot even more exciting.

We went on a beautiful evening illumination tour of Rome, driving past the Colosseum, the Circus Maximus and other well-known sites. We walked to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, which were beautiful to see in the evening.

Christian Rome was the theme of our travel on Jan. 6. It was a very special day in the life of the Catholic Church, for the historical Jubilee Year 2000 would end and the Holy Father would close the Holy Doors at St. Peter's Basilica. We decided to visit the other basilicas of Rome that day, knowing that tremendous crowds would be at St. Peter's.

We ended our afternoon with a tour of the Catacombs of St. Callistus.

Today was also the 110th anniversary of the founding of my community, the Congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection, in Rome. It was nice to be close to the roots of the congregation on this day.

Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on Jan. 7 was a beautiful experience. It was offered for the volunteers who had given so much of their time to the Holy Year events. Students who went to this Mass said that it was celebrated in many different languages to honor the volunteers from the various countries. It was a real Universal Church experience for them.

I was able to go over to my Motherhouse for Mass and breakfast. Some others participated at Mass at churches near our hotel, St. Andrea della Valle or the well-known Gesu, before leisurely walking across the Tiber to St. Peter's. By now, we were able to find our way without getting too lost.

We then met at noon for the Angelus and papal blessing of Pope John Paul II. The Square was filled with Pilgrims. The Holy Father appeared at his window, and another once-in-a-lifetime experience began. We received his blessing for ourselves, our families and all dear to us. Those with religious articles had the opportunity of having them blessed, too.

Then with our guide, Alexis, we toured St. Peter's Basilica. We unexpectedly ran into Mother Dolores Stepien, CR, from Albany, the superior general of the Sisters of the Resurrection. It was nice to have had this opportunity, especially since in a few days, through her efforts, we were to have a very moving experience.

In the following days, we visited Naples, Capri, Sorrento and Pompeii.

On Jan. 10, our last day in Rome, we all rose early to catch early-morning taxis to St. Peter's Square in order to get in line for our audience with Pope John Paul II. We all had beautiful red, white and blue scarves, which we planned to wave to greet him, as is traditional.

Mother Dolores Stepien had arranged to get us tickets for this privilege, and we were excited to see that these led to front row seats in the Pope Paul VI Hall! As pilgrims began to fill the hall, we continued to practice our Russell Sage cheer for the Pope.

Finally, the time came. Bright lights came on, organ music began and cheers rang out as His Holiness entered the hall. We were delighted to hear the English-speaking priest welcome students from Fordham University and Siena College! We waited in anticipation for our turn. When "Students from Russell Sage College" was read, we rose to our feet, shouted, cheered and chanted for the Holy Father with all the enthusiasm and life that we could muster!

It worked! People in the hall began to laugh and clap along with us! To top it off, on his way off the stage, the Pope turned to us with a twinkle in his eye and a kind smile on his face, and lifted his cane high to wave to us. There was no doubt about it: He had acknowledged our spirited presence; he knew that Russell Sage was there!

Afterwards, we proceeded to the entrance to the extraordinary excavations beneath St. Peter's. Our group was divided into two, and a seminarian then led each group through the Scavi. As one companion remarked "I'm not even a 'believer' and I am very impressed!"

Each of us emerged from this tour touched by grace in ways that go beyond words. This day, of all our days, will long be etched in our minds and hearts as a very holy day.

The next day, we travelled to Assisi. We walked to the Church of San Damiano. There were no crowds, and we were able to take our time as we toured and prayed in this holy place so close to the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare.

We went on to the Basilica of St. Clare to pray by her miraculously preserved body. We walked from there to the home of St. Francis and then to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. We prayed at the tomb of St. Francis and were given an interesting tour of the Basilica.

Then it was off to Florence for the Pitti Palace, Michelangelo's David, Fra Angelico's paintings in the Convent of San Marco, the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo and Baptistry. We walked to the Church of Santa Croce, containing the tombs of Michelangelo, Dante, Machiavelli and Galileo. The stained glass windows in this church are magnificent.

We left Florence for Padua and the Basilica of St. Anthony, where we prayed by his tomb. Many of us were moved by the expressions of gratitude for miracles that adorn his tomb.

Our final destination was Venice: the Piazza San Marco and the beautiful St. Mark's Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, the Doges Palace, Titian's spectacular painting of the Assumption of the Virgin at Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari.

A short flight to Milan helped us make our connection for our return flight to the U.S. We arrived safely in Newark and began our ride home via bus to Troy.

It was a marvelous experience! We were happy to be home safely, but there was a bittersweet reality that a wonderful trip had indeed come to an end.

(02-22-01) [[In-content Ad]]