“THE VICTORY OF CHRIST” | POSTCARDS FROM ROME EXPERIENCE 2017
Top 5 Highlights (6/11-6/18):
- Having the opportunity to partake in the 7 Churches Pilgrimage and pray in many beautiful churches and to walk in the footsteps of St. Philip Neri.
- Attending the Papal Mass for the feast of Corpus Christi. There is simply something special to be said about attending Mass with the Vicar of Christ.
- Participating in the Corpus Christi procession from St. John in Lateran to St. Mary Major was an incredible testament to the lively faith present among many in Rome. The procession was very well attended and, more importantly, showed a glimpse of the glory of Christ and His presence in the Church.
- Having the opportunity to learn about Rome’s integral connection to Christianity from a historical and Biblical view has been a great blessing. From seeing the importance of the revelations made in Daniel 2 and 7 and progressing through the Biblical witness to Peter and Paul coming to Rome up to the historical evidence that shows St. Peter truly being buried under the altar at St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Discovering the providence of God, (and some good planning on the part of the popes) in getting lost while wandering around Rome and discovering great landmarks on the way and still rediscovering the road home. When wandering Rome, follow the obelisks and you can’t get lost.
Reflection:
It was a true blessing to be able to attend the Papal Mass and Eucharistic Procession in Rome on the Feast of Corpus Christi. When many in the world say that the Church is losing ground and we see the harm that mankind can bring about in the violence that is regularly reported in the news; Jesus Christ present in the Most Blessed Sacrament leads a peaceful procession of His faithful through the streets of Rome. Walking with so many other Catholics behind Our Lord, I couldn’t help but imagine this as another victory march of a conquering king reminiscent of those that an emperor or general would lead through pagan Rome after a great military victory. In this victory march, however, the banner is the Cross and the victory was not one that brought death, but one that ended it. Indeed, Jesus Christ, the true king, marched through the streets of Rome proclaiming the victory that He has won for us. A beam of His glory shone through the darkness of the despair that is plaguing the hearts of so many and granted us a glimpse of the hope He brings in the Most Blessed Sacrament of His body and blood. This procession was a great reminder to me of the glory that we hope to enjoy with Him in Heaven; and that no matter how dark things may appear, Christ has already won the battle and He marches on in victory in each of us as we bear witness to Him in our lives.
Christus vincit,
Robert Johnson
The Rome Experience Class of 2017
Diocese of Lincoln
Mount St. Mary’s Seminary