Postcards from Rome and Assisi

The students of St. Michael's Junior class are having a wonderful and inspiring pilgrimage in the Eternal City.
Here are a few "postcards" of our trip so far.  Enjoy!

On the front steps of the Norbertine Generalate

Our Deans show us how to get around Rome.

Fr. Claude shows us beautiful things, both sacred...

...and secular.

The Ruins of the Roman Forum

In the dark of night, we stand together.

Italy abounds in sacred art.

The best way to see Rome is on foot.

Relics of Our Lord's Passion in the Basilica Santa Croce

A teaching moment with Fr. Brendan

We found this image of St. Sebastian.

A unique view of St. Peter's

Entering the Piazza of St. Peter's; notice the Christmas tree.

Fr. Brendan offered Holy Mass for us in St. Peter's crypt.

The Clementine Chapel is right below the basilica's main altar...

...and right above the tomb of St. Peter himself.

Inside the main basilica are beautiful and famous works of art.

We climbed what seemed like seven thousand steps to get the view from St. Peter's Dome.

We saw Pope Benedict XVI in his 21st Century "Sedia Gestatoria".

Yesterday we took the two hour train ride to Assisi.

This is Sta. Maria degli Angeli; the Portiuncula is inside.

Our guide in Assisi is very knowledgeable.

After taking the bus up the hill from the train station, we approach Assisi's old "New Gate".

Latin is everywhere in Italy!

Pink stone and buttresses of the Church of St. Clare.

The front of St. Clare's is still Christmasy.

Looking down upon the old city of Assisi.

The valley surrounding this hilltop town.

No medieval city would be complete without a castle up above.

St. Francis' basilica is on three levels; this is the upper.

In true Franciscan fashion, a life size creche

A closer view of the upper basilica

Our guided tour led through the courtyard of St. Francis.

The entrance to the lower basilica.

Did we mention that Latin is everywhere?

The actual tomb of St. Francis of Assisi himself is in a crypt below the lower basilica.
Excuse the quality; it was very dark, and no flash was allowed.

Merry Christmas from Assisi!