Day Two: Rome

Our travelling days are not yet done!
On Wednesday morning it was up early and onto the fast train to Rome. The Metro there threw us out into - Blue skies, sunshine, crowds, and picture-book sights.
Some spent time wandering around the Colosseum, some found other places to explore, a decent group was led off by Assistant Chaplain MCS to San Clemente to see the amazing archeological dig and the beautiful basilica there, before trekking past the Forum, the Circus Maximus and onto lunch.
Then our intrepid leaders forged ahead to make sure all was well for the main act of the day - singing the 5pm Mass at St Peter's Basilica. The Vatican. We had no doubt at all that they knew what they were doing.
Every confidence. But when we got there - goodness that place is big. It's almost impossible to get a hold on the scale of how big it is, because it is devoid of anything inside. The statues are gargantuan. The writing around the interior of the dome stands at around 2m per letter, and it's all so...
Gloriously, on arriving, we sat in a side chapel and waited to be fetched to the High Altar to sing. We had no rehearsal, no prep, no time to adjust. The Vatican Director of Music had a brief chat with Caius, Matthew & Marcus, before providing a set of music for the Mass, and slightly re-arranging the pieces we ahd for introit, offertory and communion. Then - we were on. Gregorian Chant given to us by the Vatican. Bob Chilcott, Byrd & Tallis chosen by us. God So Loved the World, Constitues Eos Principes, O Sacrum Convivium. Honestly,what a privilege to do this. It's always a great thing to be part of Worcester College Choir - it's a great group of people, and we enjoy singing together and being together, but being in Rome and singing somewhere like St Peter's, with Benedict playing the organ, and all of us having to watch all the time because everything was so unfamiliar - it was a phenomenal experience. The priest on duty at the confessional that afternoon ran over to us as Benedict was playing and declared - 'I absolve you of all your sins, past, present and future!' I think we all felt something of that joy and wonder, and it was rather amazing that a priest who worked there every day felt it with us!
And afterwards... Well, if the train ran late & we got back to Florence tired and hungry,so what of it? It was a magnificent day!

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