There have been a few things this week that have been really incredible. First off, Saturday morning we had a school scavenger hunt in Rome, which was alright. The amazing part though was when I went to the Basilica of St. John Lateran that morning with a few friends. The Basilica is beautiful but the really profound part was when we went to the Basilica's Baptistry across the street. For those of you who don't know, the baptistry is the site of the Holy Stairs which Christ ascended to be judged by Pontius Pilate. According to tradition, they were brought to Rome by St. Helen in the 4th century along with the true cross.
The steps are marble and have been covered by wood to protect them but there are slits so that pilgrims can still see the actual marble and you are allowed to climb the stair on your knees. It's one of those things I still really can't begin to get my head around. Father Hoisington had earlier told me to think about how many saints had walked the same streets of Rome that I was walking, and while we were at the Holy Stairs I kept thinking that God has walked these steps that I am kneeling on. One other comment on the stair, if you can see in the picture, at the top of the stair is a painting of Christ crucified. As I walked up the stairs the crucifixion drew nearer and nearer, just as when Christ walked those very same steps he was came closer and closer to His Crucifixion.The next day on Sunday, a few friends and I went into St. Peter's for mass. Mass itself was pretty incredible but then afterward everyone files out of the Church into St. Peter's Square, and then Pope Benedict came to his window and prayed the Angelus with the crowd. After that he gave a short welcome to all the different languages. That was also nuts. I'm still not sure that I believe that I saw the actual pope, wow.
Finally, today after class a friend talked me into to going to mass in Rome at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. The Basilica is to my knowledge the oldest church dedicated to Mary as the original construction took place in the 4th century. More significantly for me I consecrated myself to Mary on the feast day of the dedication of St. Mary Major last August. It was a blessed experience. I was able to attend confession, and after they finished the rosary, before mass, the congregation sang the Salve Regina, which I've loved ever since mt early morning, God squad days at Bishop Carroll. There is even more to my connection with the basilica though. 
The Church is built on the site that Our Lady of the Snows miraculously indicated in the 4th century. There is also a national shrine to Our Lady of the Snows near St. Louis that my family visited one time on a family vacation. I remember from that trip, an immense, tangible sense of peace at the shrine. That was the feeling I had at the basilica too, like I was home. I plan to go back very soon. One last incredible thing about Mary Major. This is the chapel under the high altar, and it is said that a piece of the crib in which Jesus was laid is enclosed there. Just a little cool.I have been overpowered spiritually thus far by Italy. It helps that I've been able to attend mass almost everyday since we arrived, and that everywhere you look there's another huge church. Most of all though, I've just been felling extremely blessed. As I've entered different churches and basilicas I've been thinking how people often live their entire lives without ever having a similar experience. I've been thanking God a lot for this incredible gift and blessing and trying to live every moment with the realization that I may never see some of these things again. I hope all of you may be blessed to see Rome some day in all its glory. It is truly indescribable. God Bless!
