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At Melbourne airport, we met students and their families who were brimming with excitement and simultaneously anxious about the trip ahead. Needless to say, the nerves quickly settled and before we knew it, we overcame the battles of long haul international flights.

Despite feeling fatigued , we were all happy and feeling blessed about the journey ahead. On arrival to Rome, we were picked up up by our guide David and driven to our hotel for a quick freshen up before traversing beautiful Roma.

Although it was a light walking tour, it was special to note our arrival on St Joseph’s feast day. We were all emotionally overcome by the beauty that is St Peter’s Basilica and were so fortunate to be given an introduction of Scavi and view Saint Peter’s tomb. We also visited the crypt and saw areas where public access is limited. Some would say that divine intervention was at hand to see us through parts of the museums that were not for public viewing unless you knew a cardinal personally (or so I’m told).

Of course, we found Saint Charbel, too.

Finally, we emerged at Baldacchino di San Pietro and walked through the first of our jubilee doors. What a moment! There were no photos to cover this part of the journey as we were told to immerse ourselves in prayer. Mass was beautiful and the priest acknowledged our presence during the Mass.

Dinner, spectacularly Italian….. pasta! Our night wrapped up early as we hoped to get through jet lag.

We will keep the Antonine community in our prayers and ask that you keep us in your prayers as we continue our pilgrimage.