We're Going to Rome!

This is from Good Friday last year. The photo rights belong to the "Photographic Service of Vatican City"

Well, not exactly. 

Very few of us can actually be in Rome with the Holy Father this Easter (I can keep dreaming, can't I?), but at least we can accompany him virtually!

In case you haven't had a chance to check it out, the Vatican web site has a special page devoted to the events of the Triduum.

The site has practically everything you'll need for your trip! First of all, may I suggest that you "pick up" your virtual booklet? This will be especially helpful during the Triduum if you are not fluent in Latin. It contains the liturgy, not only in Latin but also in English and Italian. This way, when you accompany Papa Benedict at the Easter Vigil by viewing the Mass in video form, you can truly participate--well, virtually. (As an added bonus the booklets also contain the sacred music, so you can take part vocally as well).

If you want a handy copy of any of Pope Benedict's homilies to study with a friend, text files will be uploaded as each event in the Triduum takes place. Finally, if you would like to take a memento "home" with you after this virtual journey, photographs of each event will also be uploaded. :)



While few of us are privileged enough to truly go to Rome to celebrate the Easter Triduum, at least we can travel to "Rome from home"via the Vatican website. In this way, we can accompany the Holy Father in a unique way throughout this sacred time.

Come to think of it though, there's an even better way to accompany our dear Papa Bene this weekend: be truly present at the sacred liturgy. Truly pray the liturgy with Holy Mother Church. Are we not celebrating and participating in the re-Present-ing of the same passion, death and resurrection of Our Divine Lord? Are we not united with the Universal Church as she celebrates the saving love of the Divine Bridegroom? The Eternal Sacrifice of Christ is not one that is tied to the confines of space and time. Therefore, each time we attend Mass to celebrate the unbloody sacrifice of Jesus, we are in a special way united to all the Masses of the world--past, present, and future-- especially those Masses offered by the Vicar of Christ on Earth.

While it is worthwhile to take a trip to Rome--virtually or literally (and as I've heard nothing quite compares to the "real deal"), it is good to remember that all the glories of Rome cannot compare to the true Glorious One, who makes himself present on the Altar. After all, isn't that rather the point?

That said, let's remember to keep our Holy Father in our prayers this weekend as he leads the Church in her most sacred celebrations.

UPDATE: Here's the link to the webpage: http://www.vatican.va/liturgical_year/holy-week/2012/index_en.htm oops! :)