Francesco Papal Audience

What an exciting day today.  Papa Francesco at the Vaticano!  He was "flying around" in the new Popemobile, clearly finely tuned (both vehicle and Supreme Pontiff). 

Most memorable for me was that the square was packed 250k or more.  I arrived just as he was wheeling around and there was so much joy.  I saw an older couple jumping in the air with excitement.  His message was simple, catechizing from Psalm 16 on the gift of good Counsel from the Holy Spirit.  He told of a man who taught Pope Francis as a young priest to go to Mary, Our Lady, Queen of Consolation.  The Holy Father in speaking these words showed his profound humility once again.  

There were other beautiful moments, like the picture here where young and old pilgrims broke down in tears of happiness and joy as they had a close encounter with him.  I am overjoyed at having been by lessed to be with him, along with a quarter of a million of my close friends.  

SSCM PILGRIMAGE 2014: In The Footsteps of The Apostles and Martyrs

We have arrived.  Two dozen pilgrims from SSCM in Deer Park (New York) and beyond have come first to Lisbon, Portugal.  This lovely and ancient European City, just across the Atlantic is the Place where Saint Anthony of Padua was born and raised.  This gorgeous Metropolis is where the future Doctor of the Church received his Sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, First Penance, Confirmation, Holy Orders and the eternal vow as a Religious. 

The Baptistry in the Ancient Cathedral (c12th Century) where Anthony becomes a Christian Disciple. 

What a wonderful surprise today has been, filled with the unexpected graces of an unplanned "layover" day on our way to Rome, San Giovani Rotundo, Monte Cassino (the first monastic foundation in the West) and Fatima through Rome once again.  God is great and His Providence certain!

Please visit us here frequently and join us for your own virtual pilgrimage. 

Mary Theotokos...(The Blessed Virgin Mary, The Mother of God)

S. Antonio

S.  Giussepe

Ss.  Cyril et Methodius

Ss. Pietro et Paulinus

Ss. Agnes, Agatha, Lucy, Felicity, Anastasia

S.  Pius of Pietrelcina

Ss. Benedicto et Scholastica

Ss. Papem Joannes XXIII et. Joannes Paulus Magnus (JPII)

... Ora Pro Nobis

PAX CHRISTE

FR. SUGLIA

Main Altar at Saint Anthony's in Lisbon