Rome Pilgrimage 2019

Our family was so blessed to accompany this semester's students on their 9 day pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi!

We have been able to go as a family every Fall semester so far - so this was our fifth time going.  It was definitely the most exhausting of the trips we've made - perhaps due to the fact we have now doubled the number of children we bring with us compared to the first time we went :)  But it was so beautiful to hear from students who really enjoyed the presence of our kids!

Below are some of the amazing places we got to visit:

St. Paul Outside the Walls (this picture kind of sums of the reality of the trip - except for the fact it isn't raining in this picture!)

Angelus with Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square



Waiting outside St. Peter's Basilica





We got to spend time with our dear friend from Northern Virginia, Mary Lenaburg, who was in Rome at the same time as us!



Inside St. Peter's Basilica











Walking tours in the RAIN!!!  

Francis puddle jumping in Piazza Navona





Ellie in front of the Pantheon (aka, Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva)













Clare and me in front of the Basilica of St Mary Major (aka, Our Lady of the Snows).  A year ago we prayed for a baby at the relic of Jesus' manger inside the Basilica.  A week later we learned I was pregnant and eight months later MaryClare was born on the feast day of Our Lady of the Snows!!  It was so special getting to take Clare there and praise God for her existence!  We prayed for all of our pregnant family/friends and for those desiring to conceive at Christ's crib.























Brian and Isaac in front of the Colosseum 



Brian and Ellie & Francis in front of the Spanish Steps



Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins & Capuchin Cyrpt





And (see separate post) Clare was kissed by the Pope!