THANKSGIVING PILGRIMAGE TO ROME April 6 to April 10 2015
The Darlington Ordinariate Group have just returned from a Pilgrimage to Rome in Easter Week, in thanksgiving for their Reception into Full Communion with the Catholic Church in Holy week, 2012. The group of 50 pilgrims was led by Nicola Reeves under the spiritual care of the Group Priest, Father Ian Grieves.
The pilgrims stayed at the Domus Carmelitana St Alberto and their time in Rome began, after travelling by coach past some of the outstanding sights of Rome, with Mass in the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls. The Celebrant was Father Grieves and the Mass Setting was 'The Sparrow Mass' by Mozart.
The following day they were delighted to be able to attend the Papal Audience in St Peter's Square, and from there they went on to the Basilica of St Mary Major for Mass. On this occasion the Mass setting was Palestrina’s 'Missa Aeterna Christi Munera'.
On Easter Thursday, there was a morning of sightseeing, relaxation and shopping before they made a return visit to the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls for Mass, where the choir sang Haydn’s 'St Nicholas Mass'. The day concluded with a Pilgrimage Gourmet Dinner at the Ristorante Babette in the Via Margutta. A true ‘Babette's Feast’ - in honour of the Pope’s favourite film!
Easter Friday, the final day of the Pilgrimage, began with Mass at St Joseph's Altar in St Peter's Basilica itself. On this occasion the Mass setting was the simple plainsong Missa de angelis and Byrd’s Ave verum corpus. Then, after a relaxed morning in Rome it was time to head back to the airport for the journey home after an all too short but superbly enjoyable Pilgrimage.
The Group are based in the beautiful Church of St Osmund’s, Gainford, in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, with its exquisite painted roof reflecting the Litany of Loreto. where Fr Grieves says the Sunday masses for both the local parish community and the Ordinariate. They have a vibrant social life and an excellent musical tradition, rich in Anglican patrimony, and have received 22 new members since entering into full communion. Visitors are always welcome, and forthcoming events include a May Festival on 9th May at noon.
Gallery One (Several Pilgrims have permitted us to use their images, for which we are most grateful).
Off we go then . . .
Blessing at Heathrow
OUR SIGHTSEEING TOUR
TREVI FOUNTAIN - UNDER REPAIR
Ordinariate, Darlington, catholic, Ordinariate, Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, Fr Ian Grieves, Msg Keith Newton, Anglo Catholic, Rome, Roman Catholic, Evangelium