There is a three-week Synod on the Family taking place at the Vatican. I just want to be in the neighborhood during the last (third) week of the synod and for a few days after the closing of the synod. So, tomorrow I leave Dayton for the flight to Rome, coming home on the 28th.
I asked the tour agent for a hotel that was close to the Vatican, clean, with good Internet. He has put me up at the Domus Carmelitana, which is a 15-minute walk from St. Peter’s Basilica. I will sleep in the same hotel nine nights in a row.
Not much is on my radar or agenda. I have a ticket to attend the General Audience with Pope Francis on Wednesday, October 21, and the Closing Mass of the Synod on Sunday, October 25. Being in the sardine section for both events, I do not have any great hopes of seeing Francis close up. I’ll also go to the Angelus gathering with Pope Francis at Noon on Sunday, October 25, with tens of thousands of other believers, pilgrims, tourists and fans. Touring the Vatican Gardens is the one touristy thing that I wanted to make sure that I did, so I bought two tickets: one for Thursday and one for Friday, just in case it rains on Thursday; if I like it, I can tour twice. Other than that I plan on walking to St. Peter’s Basilica every day, several times a day, and doing whatever else strikes my fancy, whenever it strikes my fancy.
The word “synod” has its origin in a Greek word, σύνοδος (synodos), meaning “on the road together.”
I like that: on the road together. I like that a lot!
Tags: Synod on the Family
With Open Doors 
Pie, the Pope, and probably lots of Pasta. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Father Rob
We were parishners at St. John Newman and friends of sue Nitz
She just told us you are in Rome!
We are flying tomorrow evening and arriving Tuesday October 20th. Staying
At hotel Alimandu Tunisi just outside theVatican until October 23!
I pray our paths meet again
Robyn and Dick Wood
Will pray for you, Father Rob! Here is another article worth reading: Click here:
Archbishop Chaput to Synod Fathers: We Need to Call People to Grace, Not Confirm Them in their Errors | Aleteia.or
It’s a great article of hope! Very uplifting!
JoAnne Lacey
Sounds like a great trip. Be safe, enjoy.
I will enjoy the trip vicariously through this blog. I can only imagine how cool it must be to be in Rome and to see, even from the sardine section, Papa Francisco. Safe and blessed travels!
Abigail, Shane and baby John are in Rome this week. Maybe you will run into them on the streets of Rome. Hope you have a wonderful visit.
Sue Craycraft
Just called their hotel. Did not reach. Will try again later. As God desires. May my desire be God’s desire. Rather, may my desire be what God desires, whatever God desires. That sounds holy, but is VERY hard for.
Fr. Rob, sounds like you are having a blessed trip in Rome! How wonderful!
I am not sure if you have heard, but Nate is currently at the U.S. Navy Boot Camp in Great Lakes, IL. He had about 6 more weeks there and then 2 years of training for the nuclear program so that he will be qualified to work on the nuclear power aspects of an aircraft carrier.
I was wondering if you would like to write him a letter of support to him. If so, please let me know and I will send you his address. They cannot have cell phones or email or computers for non-Navy activity. He probably would not be able write back but I know he’d appreciate the encouragement and prayers!
Hope you are enjoying your transition to retired life.
Terri sand Tim Creech
Sent from my iPhone
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