S6 pilgrimage to Rome, February 2007

The S6 pupils of both OLHS and St Aidan’s, accompanied by members of staff, school Chaplains and the former Chaplain to The Royal Air Force, enjoyed a five day Pilgrimage to Rome during the February holiday. The trip was initiated and implemented by the Chaplain and DHTS of OLHS. After creating a five day programme that would allow the pupils to widen their knowledge and learn more, not just about their faith, but about another culture, they widened the scope of this enterprising project to include a partner North Lanarkshire denominational school, St. Aidan’s High.

The cost of the trip was subsidised by fundraising activities by both sets of pupils. These ranged from: Italian Coffee Mornings, Italian Raffle, Bag Packing, Christmas Musical Interlude (held in St. Luke’s Parish Church) and an Italian Quiz Night (held in St Bernadettes’ Church Hall). Staff, pupils, parents, relatives, friends and members of the public were fully involved in these fundraising activities whilst Father Miller and Mrs Mulholland facilitated these events, in a supportive role, to ensure their success. Furthermore, the diocese assisted the pupils with donations from their Parishes. All the fundraising activities provided the pupils with opportunities to exercise their enterprising skills and act responsibly as a citizen of a faith sharing community. The cost of the Pilgrimage was reduced by £50 per head and extra monies raised allowed for entrance fees to several attractions to be paid beforehand. Moreover, the hard work of the pupils was rewarded by indulging them in such small luxuries as taxis, ice-creams and other such “extravagances”. The reason behind the fundraising was not just to raise money but to bring the young people together, as confident individuals, so that, when in Rome, they would work together in order to support one another and create positive relationships which would only serve to enhance the experience for all.

In Rome, the Pilgrims stayed in the Convent of the Filippini Nuns on the Via delle Fornaci, a short walk from the Vatican. Every morning began with Mass in various churches throughout Rome and the Vatican, where the Pilgrims had the opportunity to bear witness to their own Chaplains concelebrating Mass and taking it in turns to present the eulogy. Every night concluded with prayer, conducted by one of the accompanying Chaplains in the convent’s chapel where the pupils were provided with the time to reflect upon their day. The young adults were actively involved in each service by either reading or serving and all sang with fervour at every Mass. Each Mass was unique and allowed all involved to consider their actions in the light of their faith as well as explore their emotions.

Our first Mass was in the beautiful Church called Santo Spirito, which is dedicated to the Divine Mercies, and emotions were high as we realised our journey was just beginning. Our second Mass found us in the Polish Church dedicated to the Black Madonna underneath the Vatican itself : a Church with special significance to our own Chaplain. Once again, individuals allowed their emotions to take control as we participated in a beautiful Mass whilst listening to the many other Masses in the other Churches around us which were being conducted in several different languages.

The highlight amongst many wonderful experiences took place on the Sunday, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes: seeing the Pope for the first time on his balcony at mid-day for the Angelus and then his address in 7 different languages to the thousands who had gathered. This day was made even more significant by attending Mass in the Vatican where the Pope made an appearance to accept a gift of a gold crown for the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes which had been processed through the Vatican at the start of Mass. The pupils were overcome with excitement as they avidly took many photographs and video clips of Pope Benedict XVI as he made his way through the Vatican to the altar. It was a truly magical and unforgettable event. Later, night prayer was joyous and we all joined in the impromptu singing of the hymn As I Kneel Before You.

Our penultimate Mass took us to the Church of Sant Andrea delle Fratte , Cardinal Winning’s former titular church in the heart of Rome - a Church where a visitation has taken place – a Church dedicated to our Patron Saint – a Church where people come to pray for miracles especially for children and leave momentos such as bibs and bootees. This church had very special significance for both schools: Cardinal Winning was a former pupil of OLHS and the late Cardinal’s grand-nephew, Thomas, a pupil from St Aidan’s was also on the trip. It was a very special and again emotional Mass for all but especially Thomas who did the first reading. There was not a dry eye in the Church. At the end of Mass the keepers of the church presented Thomas with a gift and many of us received a little medal of Our Lady as a keepsake.

Our last Mass took us back once again to underneath the St. Peter’s Basilica to the Chapel which is situated before the bones of St Peter and beside Pope John Paul II ‘s tomb. Once again tears flowed as we knew we had to prepare to leave Rome later that day. It was a very subdued but spiritual Mass.

The trip, however, was not only centred around spiritual experiences. We visited many historical places and monuments: the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain (where everyone of us, despite pouring rain, threw coins in the fountain), the Spanish Steps (which most of the pupils ran up but staff and Chaplains conquered at a sedate pace), the Sistine Chapel and Vatican museums, Piazza Fiore, Piazza Navonna, Castelle Sant Angelo, Vittorio Emmanuelle, Circus Maximus, climbed the Dome and even managed to go shopping on the Via del Corso.

We were extremely lucky, and honoured, to be allowed to visit Scavi, excavations which run under St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican City. Due to the need to preserve this site from pollution, only 10 groups are allowed in each day. The conducted tour was fascinating and it was a privilege to be afforded the opportunity to see the site of the bones of St. Peter and to listen to the history of our religion in Rome. We also enjoyed a night tour of the historical sights of Rome. We walked many miles in the rain and, sometimes, we managed to get lost thanks to the Chaplain to the Royal Air Force who was map reading for us - he was not allowed to forget that!

Eating in the different restaurants booked for us was also a thrilling experience. The culinary delights served up for us ranged from rustic Roman cuisine in the Trastevere quarter, to a fine dining Italian Night in Quo Vadis. In this particular restaurant we were treated to Opera, traditional Italian music, songs and dancing in which we all fully participated despite not really knowing exactly what we should be doing.

Before leaving Rome, some of the pupils paid a visit to the Daughters of Charity. This organisation relied entirely on donations to feed the homeless, some of whom we passed every day on our way to the Vatican, and presented them with euros that they had collected independently as an offering to the help feed the homeless. It was another humbling experience but it was necessary to give something back to a City that had given so much to us.

When the retreat was planned, we never imagined the profound effect it would have on all who participated: we laughed, and cried, a lot. It was always our aim to show the pupils Ancient, Historical, Romantic and Religious Rome which, as everyone involved would agree, we achieved. Masses and Night Prayers were also to be an integral part of the Pilgrimage and the response of the pupils was overwhelming. Pupils and staff embraced their faith wholeheartedly: some returning to it, others re-affirming it. It was both humbling and joyous to witness. The experiences also helped the pupils and staff to cope with changes during the year ahead such as exams, leaving school and become effective contributors to our society and religion. We left Scotland as a group of staff and pupils from two schools and returned as friends.

Since returning, we have had Rome reunions where, once again, we have prayed, laughed and cried. Many of the young pilgrims have now been to Lourdes with ALMA and are returning again this year but, most of all, they have been true witnesses to their faith. The whole Pilgrimage was memorable and life changing: better than planned for or could have been have imagined.

Mrs Mulholland, 2007