Veni Creator Spiritus . . .

'When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all gathered in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.' (Acts 2:1-2)

In Sacred Scripture 'fire' appears as love which penetrates everything as a purifying agent. Fire too produces light and signifies the new brightness which the Holy Spirit brings.

The coming of the Holy Spirit on that first Pentecost day was not a one-off unrelated event in the Church's life; the Holy Spirit sanctifies the Church continually.

In the Old Testament the action of the Holy Spirit is often referred to as 'breath'. This expresses the gentleness and strength of divine love; wind we know, manages to penetrate everywhere.

The wind of the day of Pentecost expresses the new force with which divine love permeates the Church.

Since we decide to have a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit, there is nothing so effective and necessary as a close relationship with Our Blessed Lady.

'The Apostles, with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary, the Mother of Jesus.'

We pray on this Day of Pentecost,

'Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.'

Parish Pilgrimage - Final Day . . .

There is not much time for blogging today. After breakfast we set off for the Basilica of St Paul's Outside the Walls once more for our final Mass together in Rome in St Benedict's Chapel and from there on to the airport for our flight home.

Luckily I was able to set up this video before we left Banstead. It really is the ideal way to finish this little pilgrimage report. For those of you who would prefer to hear it in Italian please follow the link here.

Day 5 - just for fun . . .

Well, I'm sure you all know the saying. 'When in Rome . . . ' I couldn't resist taking a photo of this little sports car. (It makes a change from all the photos of churches and eating!) It's the only way to travel in Rome.

I think I might make the owner an offer - it would be just the job for nipping around Banstead!

More on Day 5 . . .

It was a great joy and privilege to be able to offer Holy Mass in St Peter's Basilica and to be given permission to do so in the Crypt Chapel near the the tomb of Pope John Paul II is even more special.

Of course one can't just stroll in and begin to say Mass. Here is the letter requesting permission to do so which thankfully was given. Many thanks to our tour leader, Anthony Coles, for arranging this for us.

I know you need good eyesight to read it but I thought you might find it interesting anyway.

UPDATE: This video was meant to appear today. I hope you enjoy it now although it is a bit late.

Just a shot showing the crowds queuing to get into St Peter's.

Parish Pilgrimage - Day 5 . . .

What joy! We prayed for you all at Mass in the Crypt Chapel at St Peter's this morning. Some of the bravest then climbed the 323 steps to the dome!

The day is free for sightseeing today although our guide has made a few suggestions such as the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel. Also, possibly a walk to the Basilica of Saint John Lateran.

More later if I manage to take any interesting photos . . .

Parish Pilgrimage - Day 4 . . .

Today our pilgrimage took us to Subiaco and the Benedictine Monastery of Sacro Speco.

Here you can get an impression of the inaccessibility of the monastery built on the slopes of Mount Taleo above Subiaco. This is Fr Francis, an American Benedictine, who gave us an excellent tour.

Looking down from the Monastery into the valley below.

Another view showing the approach to the monastery.

The beautiful Chapel of Our Lady.

The Secred Cave (Sacro Speco) of St Benedict. A cave on the slopes of Mount Taleo where St Benedict lived unknown for four years. He survived thanks to a monk called Romanus who protected his seclusion and life of prayer and brought him food secretly.

We fared much better than St Benedict as we had lunch together at the Ristorante Aniene.

Today was our 'day in the country'. Now we have a visit to San Clemente, a Basilica cared for by the Irish Dominicans..

More on Day 3 . . .

Just before I tell you what we've been doing this afternoon, I must also let you know that St Ann's were presented to the Holy Father at the General Audience this morning. We all stood up to great applause. It was very moving.

Here you can see most of our group outside the 5th century Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. At the front on the left is Mr Anthony Coles, our Tour Leader, who has been doing an excellent job of looking after us.

After visiting the Basilica we moved on to the church of San Alfonso, the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, where we had a beautiful Mass.

Another lovely day and the time is passing all too quickly.