January 29

Today we had the opportunity to meet an Australian priest who is associated with our program for 7 AM mass at St. Peter's Basilica. This meant waking up at about 5:30 so that we could have breakfast before taking the metro over and going through security. When entering the basilica, we were able to walk through the "holy doors" which are only open during Jubilee years.

Wikipedia tells us that, "..in Christianity, the tradition dates to 1300, when Pope Boniface VIII convoked a holy year, following which ordinary jubilees have generally been celebrated every 25 or 50 years; with extraordinary jubilees in addition depending on need. Christian Jubilees, particularly in the Catholic tradition, generally involve pilgrimage to a sacred site, normally the city of Rome. The Catholic Church has declared the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy for 2015–2016."

I don't quite understand how it's decided that we need a Jubilee year but it's pretty cool that I'm here to experience it. After entering the church, we were given a few minutes to look around before being escorted downstairs to a tiny room, very close to the tomb of St. Peter, where we would have our mass. I can't really explain how amazing it was to be able to celebrate mass in the most famous basilica in the world. (I didn't fact-check that but I give you all permission to attribute that quote to me)








Photo: This is what St. Peter's looks like from a distance before the sun rises. If we're being realistic this is probably the only pre-sunrise picture I'll take all semester.




Photo: Still St. Peter's although the dome isn't visible in this picture. By the time we got through security the sun had risen.

Photo: As close as I could get to the main altar of the basilica. The area was blocked off. Didn't take more pictures inside because there was too much to see. I'll be back again.

Photo: Proof that I was actually at St. Peter's since everyone knows I don't like waking up early. Mom and Dad-- maybe John can explain to you what a "geotag" is.

Extra proof that I woke up early: my scarf tag is sticking out and my eyeliner is smudged across my face.

Later on this same day, my friend Irene (pronounced ee-ren-ay, not eye-reen) and I decided to take steps towards acquiring our residence permits. We took the metro to Piazza Barberini, bought a stamp called a "marca di bollo" (I don't know what it is either) for 16 euro, as was required, and walked a bit to find the specific post office where we would purchase our "permesso di soggiorno" (residence permits-- are you keeping up?). After waiting for a bit and painfully handing over 140 euro in cash, we received receipts with our scheduled appointments for the fingerprinting portion of the process. What's VERY unfortunate is that mine is at 8:30 in the morning on Friday, March 11th. (Hint: the morning after my 21st birthday). I think we have to get our pictures taken too-- I'll be sure to make copies of that one.