Consistory

I am realizing how difficult it is to blog while in Rome.  Yes, the internet connection is slow, and it is certainly not because of nothing to say!  Rather, it is like trying to tell a child to come in from the playground to do homework.  There is so much to see ... so much to experience and so much to take it that it becomes difficult to leave it and sit at a computer an update a blog.

Yesterday, was the consistory ... the creation of the new cardinals of the church.  We were given tickets to admit us to the Vatican, but warned that in true Roman style over 25,000 tickets were issued for the less than 7000 seats inside St. Peter's.  Several of us walked down to St. Peter's Square, but opted to stay outside in the sun and watch the proceedings on the jumbotrons set up.  (We found  out later that we really did have the best seats in the house; men from the house got into St. Peter's and saw nothing!)

The ceremony is brief: after the arrival of the Holy Father and an opening prayer and scripture, each of the new cardinals approach him and receive the new baretta, ring and scroll.  There local Roman church is also announced following the tradition that now the cardinals are priests of the Diocese of Rome and therefore need a 'home' church.

The unique thing is that the Square really was an extension of the church ... quiet, prayerful and applause when a particular cardinal was introduced.

Following the ceremony, the North American College (our home here) held a reception for Cardinal Dolan and Cardinal O'Brien (each former rectors of the NAC.)  Thousands of people attended.  We had a chance to see each of the newly created cardinals, but the lines to greet them went on forever.

Then, according to custom, the papal palace is open to the public and folks are welcome to greet them.  To be honest, most of us went to see the rooms of the palace that are not usually open to the public.  Again, hundreds of folks filled the hallways and rooms.  All in all, a unique and special experience.

A quiet dinner ended the day.